Table of Contents - Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
B.C. Reg. 296/97
W.C.B.
Deposited September 8, 1997
effective April 15, 1998

Workers Compensation Act

Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

[includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 312/2010, February 1, 2011]

Contents
Part 1 — Definitions
  1.1  Definitions
Part 2 — Application
  2.1  Scope of application
  2.2  General duty
  2.3  Conflict with a code or standard
  2.4  Compliance
  2.5  Inspection reports
  2.6  Notification of compliance
  2.7  Notice to workers
  2.8  Contravention
Part 3 — Rights and Responsibilities
  Occupational Health and Safety Programs
  3.1  When program required
  3.2  Small operations
  3.3  Contents of program
  3.4  Incident investigation reports
  Workplace Inspections
  3.5  General requirement
  3.6  Repealed
  3.7  Special inspections
  3.8  Committee participation
  Correction of Unsafe Conditions
  3.9  Remedy without delay
  3.10  Reporting unsafe conditions
  3.11  Emergency circumstances
  Refusal of Unsafe Work
  3.12  Procedure for refusal
  3.13  No discriminatory action
  Occupational First Aid
  3.14  Definitions
  3.15  First aid attendant qualifications
  3.16  Basic requirements
  3.17  First aid procedures
  3.17.1  Air transportation
  3.18  Communication and availability
  3.19  First aid records
  3.20  Multiple employer workplaces
  3.21  First aid attendant responsibilities
  Young or New Workers
  3.22  Definitions
  3.23  Young or new worker orientation and training
  3.24  Additional orientation and training
  3.25  Documentation
Schedule 3-A
Part 4 — General Conditions
  Buildings, Structures and Equipment
  4.1  Safe workplace
  4.1.1  Snow avalanche assessment
  4.2  Safe buildings and structures
  4.3  Safe machinery and equipment
  4.4  Conformity to standards
  4.5  Manuals and information
  4.6  Reassembly
  4.7  Information on rated capacity
  4.8  Rated capacity
  4.9  Inspection and maintenance records
  4.10  Authorization
  4.11  Startup
  4.12  Circumvention of safeguards
  Emergency Preparedness and Response
  4.13  Risk assessment
  4.14  Emergency procedures
  4.15  Repealed
  4.16  Training
  4.17  Notification of fire departments
  4.18  Notification of utility service providers
  Impairment
  4.19  Physical or mental impairment
  4.20  Impairment by alcohol, drug or other substance
  Working Alone or in Isolation
  4.20.1  Definition
  4.20.2  Hazard identification, elimination and control
  4.21  Procedures for checking well-being of worker
  4.22  Training
  4.22.1  Late night retail safety procedures and requirements
  4.22.2  Mandatory prepayment for fuel
  4.23  Annual reviews of procedures
  Workplace Conduct
  4.24  Definition
  4.25  Prohibition
  4.26  Investigation
  Violence in the Workplace
  4.27  Definition
  4.28  Risk assessment
  4.29  Procedures and policies
  4.30  Instruction of workers
  4.31  Advice to consult physician
  Work Area Requirements
  4.32  Access to work areas
  4.33  Arrangement of work areas
  4.34  Restricted entry
  4.35  Door installations
  4.36  Glass
  4.37  Restricted visibility
  4.38  Extreme temperatures
  4.39  Slipping and tripping hazards
  4.40  Wet floors
  4.41  Waste material
  4.42  Cleaning with compressed air
  Storing and Handling Materials
  4.43  Stacking materials
  4.44  Entrapment
  4.45  Falling materials
  Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements
  4.46  Definition
  4.47  Risk identification
  4.48  Risk assessment
  4.49  Risk factors
  4.50  Risk control
  4.51  Education and training
  4.52  Evaluation
  4.53  Consultation
  Work Area Guards and Handrails
  4.54  Definitions
  4.55  Guardrail locations
  4.56  Exceptions
  4.57  Elevated workers
  4.58  Specifications for guards and guardrails
  4.58.1  Temporary removal of guardrails
  4.59  Floor and roof openings
  4.60  Toeboards
  4.61  Walkways
  4.62  Handrails on stairways
  4.63  Vehicle travel areas
  Illumination
  4.64  Definitions
  4.65  Illumination levels
  4.66  Means of illumination
  4.67  Brightness, reflectance and glare
  4.68  Illumination measurement
  4.69  Emergency lighting
  Indoor Air Quality
  4.70  Application
  4.71  Submitting plans
  4.72  Design and operation
  4.73  Building modifications
  4.74  Distribution
  4.75  Balancing
  4.76  Ventilation openings
  4.77  Discharged air
  4.78  Preventive maintenance
  4.79  Investigation
  4.80  Temperature and humidity
  Environmental Tobacco Smoke
  4.81  Controlling exposure
  4.82  Exceptions
  4.83  Repealed
  Occupational Environment Requirements
  4.84  Eating areas
  4.85  Washroom facilities
  4.86  Change areas
  4.87  Unsafe water
  4.88-4.106  Repealed
Schedule 4-A
Part 5 — Chemical Agents and Biological Agents
  5.1  Definitions
  5.1.1  Designation as hazardous substances
  5.2  General information requirement
  Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  5.3  Application
  5.4  Prohibition
  5.5  WHMIS program
  5.6  Worker education
  5.7  Worker training
  5.8  Supplier label
  5.9  Workplace label for employer-produced products
  5.10  Workplace label for decanted products
  5.11  Piping systems and vessels
  5.12  Placard identifiers
  5.13  Laboratory label
  5.14  Supplier MSDS
  5.15  Employer MSDS
  5.16  Availability of an MSDS
  5.17  Deletions from an MSDS
  5.18  Confidential business information
  5.19  Claims under the HMIR Act
  Containers and Storage
  5.20  Condition of containers
  5.21  Material integrity
  5.22  Covers
  5.23  Permitted quantities
  5.24  Incompatible substances
  5.25  Storage practices
  5.26  Storage area
  Flammable and Combustible Substances
  5.27  Ignition sources
  5.28  Grounding or bonding
  5.29  Electrostatic charge
  5.30  Dispensing
  5.31  Flammable gas or vapour
  5.32  Manual cleaning
  5.33  Permitted quantities
  5.34  Combustible materials
  5.35  Cabinet vent
  Substances Under Pressure
  5.36  Containers
  5.37  Pressure testing
  5.38  Handling and securing cylinders
  5.39  Cylinder markings
  5.40  Cylinder valves
  5.41  Fittings
  5.42  Repealed
  5.43  Empty cylinders
  5.44  Acetylene cylinders
  5.45  Restriction on use of copper
  5.46  Restriction on use of oxygen
  5.47  Cleanliness
  Controlling Exposure
  5.48  Exposure limits
  5.49  Excursion limits
  5.50  Extended work periods
  5.51  Additive effects
  5.52  Skin designation
  5.53  Workplace monitoring
  5.54  Exposure control plan
  5.55  Type of controls
  5.56  Oxygen deficiency
  5.57  Designated substances
  5.58  Protective policy
  5.59  Investigating symptoms
  Ventilation
  5.60  Application
  5.61  Engineering principles
  5.62  Submitting plans
  5.63  Building modifications
  5.64  Controlling air contaminants
  5.65  Worker location
  5.66  Ventilation openings
  5.67  Effectiveness
  5.68  Failure warning
  5.69  Makeup air
  5.70  Discharged air
  5.71  Flammable air contaminants
  Internal Combustion Engines
  5.72  Venting outdoors
  5.73  Indoor operation
  5.74  Emission controls
  5.75  Mobile equipment emission controls
  Hazardous Wastes and Emissions
  5.76  Label
  5.77  Placard
  5.78  MSDS
  5.79  Sale or disposal
  5.80  Sharp-edged waste
  5.81  Combustible dust
  Personal Hygiene
  5.82  Employer's responsibility
  5.83  Worker's responsibility
  5.84  Prohibition
  Emergency Washing Facilities
  5.85  Where required
  5.86  Water supply
  5.87  Access
  5.88  Risk assessment
  5.89  Equipment required
  5.90  Transient worksites
  5.91  Remote worksites
  5.92  Signs
  5.93  Testing
  5.94  Training
  5.95  Protection from freezing
  5.96  Valve operation
  Emergency Procedures
  5.97  Emergency plan
  5.98  Inventory
  5.99  Risk assessment
  5.100  Procedures for evacuation
  5.101  Procedures for spill cleanup and re-entry
  5.102  Training and drills
Part 6 — Substance Specific Requirements
  Asbestos
  6.1  Definitions
  6.2  Application
  General Requirements
  6.3  Exposure control plan
  6.4  Inventory
  6.5  Identification
  6.6  Assessment and classification
  6.7  Control of friable asbestos
  6.8  Procedures
  6.9  Prohibitions
  6.10  Substitution
  6.11  Instruction and training
  6.12  Monitoring
  Designated Work Areas and Containments
  6.13  Designated area
  6.14  Permanent enclosure design
  6.15  Glove bags
  6.16  High risk work
  Ventilation
  6.17  Containment ventilation
  6.18  Local exhaust ventilation
  6.19  Filter testing
  Other Means of Controlling Exposure to Asbestos
  6.20  Protecting work surfaces
  6.21  Preventing spread
  6.22  Wetting material
  6.23  Repairing damaged material
  6.24  Friction materials
  Waste Handling and Disposal
  6.25  Sealed containers
  6.26  Cleaning containers and equipment
  6.27  Waste removal
  6.28  Waste disposal
  Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
  6.29  Respiratory protection
  6.30  Protective clothing
  6.31  Information to laundry workers
  Documentation
  6.32  Types of records
  Biological Agents
  6.33  Definitions
  6.34  Exposure control plan
  6.35  Repealed
  6.36  Controls
  6.37  Labels and identification
  6.38  Repealed
  6.39  Vaccination
  6.40  Medical evaluation
  6.41  Repealed
  Cytotoxic Drugs
  6.42  Definition
  6.43  Exposure control plan
  6.44  Information
  6.45  Labels
  6.46  Signs
  6.47  List
  6.48  Procedures
  6.49  Reproductive toxins
  6.50  Instruction
  6.51  Supervision
  6.52  Records
  6.53  Drug preparation and administration
  6.54  Disconnects
  6.55  Personal protective equipment
  6.56  Personal hygiene
  6.57  Waste disposal
  6.58  Spills
  Lead
  6.59  Application
  6.60  Exposure control plan
  6.61  Air monitoring in construction projects
  6.62  Warning signs
  6.63  Personal hygiene
  6.64  Work surfaces
  6.65  Lead removal
  6.66  Instruction and training
  6.67  Health protection
  6.68  Records
  6.69  Primary lead smelters
  Pesticides
  6.70  Definitions
  6.71  Application
  General Requirements
  6.72  Pesticide labels
  6.73  Labels and signs for treated materials
  6.74  Pesticide use
  6.75  MSDS
  6.76  Informing workers
  Mixing, Loading and Applying Pesticides
  6.77  Qualifications
  6.78  Procedures
  6.79  Health protection
  6.80  Rescue
  Equipment
  6.81  General requirements
  6.82  Fixed stations
  6.83  Mobile equipment
  Pesticide Application
  6.84  Safe application practice
  6.85  Posting warning signs
  6.86  Design of warning signs
  6.87  Warning signs for non-fumigants
  6.88  Warning signs for fumigants
  6.89  Restricted entry intervals
  6.90  Authorization to enter
  6.91  Exemptions
  6.92  Cleanup of residues
  6.93  Pesticide drift
  6.94  Records
  Personal Hygiene
  6.95  Wash and shower facilities
  6.96  Worker cleanup
  6.97  Personal protective clothing and equipment
  Avicides, Predicides, Rodenticides and Insecticidal Baits
  6.98  Exemption
  6.99  Preventive measures
  Storage
  6.100  Location
  6.101  Storage facilities
  6.102  Retail displays
  Antisapstain Applications
  6.103  Substitution
  6.104  Ventilation
  6.105  Cleaning equipment
  6.106  Excess chemical
  6.107  Protective clothing
  6.108  Records
  6.109  Exemption
  Rock Dust
  6.110  Application
  6.111  Dust control
  6.112  Restricted access
  6.113  Rock drills
  6.114  Rock crushing plants
  6.115  Asphalt mixing plants
  Toxic Process Gases
  6.116  Definitions
  6.117  Application
  6.118  Risk assessment
  6.119  Exposure control plan
  6.120  Procedures
  6.121  Education and training
  6.122  Enclosure
  6.123  Testing
  6.124  Ventilation
  6.125  Emergency ventilation
  6.126  Shut-down device
  6.127  Personal protective equipment
  6.128  Monitors and alarms
  6.129  Pressure relief alarm systems
  6.130  Identification of controls
  6.131  Piping systems
  6.132  Maintenance
Part 7 — Noise, Vibration, Radiation and Temperature
  Division 1 — Noise Exposure
  7.1  Definition
  7.2  Noise exposure limits
  7.3  Noise measurement required
  7.4  Exemption
  7.5  Noise control and hearing conservation program
  7.6  Engineered noise control
  7.7  Hearing protection and warning signs
  7.8  Hearing tests
  7.9  Records to be kept
  Division 2 — Vibration Exposure
  7.10  Definitions
  7.11  Vibration exposure limits
  7.12  Evaluation of vibration
  7.13  Vibration exposure control obligations
  7.14  Information about vibration hazards
  7.15  Labels
  7.16  Exposure to cold and hand-arm vibration
  Division 3 — Radiation Exposure
  7.17  Definitions
  7.18  Application
  7.19  Exposure limits
  7.20  Exposure control plan
  7.21  Reproductive hazards
  7.22  Monitoring exposure
  7.23  Standards for use of equipment
  7.24  Radiation surveys
  7.25  Records
  Division 4 — Thermal Exposure
  7.26  Definitions
  Heat Exposure
  7.27  Application
  7.28  Exposure limits
  7.29  Heat stress assessment and exposure control plan
  7.30  Heat stress controls
  7.31  Provision of water
  7.32  Removal from and treatment for heat exposure
  Cold Exposure
  7.33  Application
  7.34  Cold stress assessment and exposure control plan
  7.35  Cold stress controls
  7.36  Heated shelters
  7.37  Clothing and personal protective equipment
  7.38  Removal and treatment
Part 8 — Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment
  8.1  Definitions
  General Requirements
  8.2  Responsibility to provide
  8.3  Selection, use and maintenance
  8.4  Workplace evaluation
  8.5  Program
  8.6  Annual review
  8.7  Instruction
  8.8  Supervisor's responsibilities
  8.9  Worker's responsibilities
  8.10  Personal clothing and accessories
  Safety Headgear
  8.11  General requirement
  8.12  Use with all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and motorcycles
  8.13  Use with bicycles and skates
  Eye and Face Protection
  8.14  Safety eyewear
  8.15  Prescription safety eyewear
  8.16  Sideshields
  8.17  Face protection
  8.18  Contact lenses
  Limb and Body Protection
  8.19  General requirement
  8.20  Cleaning or replacement
  8.21  Leg protection
  Footwear
  8.22  General requirement
  8.23  Slippery surfaces
  High Visibility and Distinguishing Apparel
  8.24  High visibility apparel
  8.25  Distinguishing apparel
  Buoyancy Equipment
  8.26  When required
  8.27  Compliance with standards
  8.28  Working alone
  8.29  Automatically inflatable lifejackets
  8.30  Retroreflective material
  Flame Resistant Clothing
  8.31  When required
  Respirators
  8.32  When respirator required
  8.33  Selection
  8.34  Maximum use concentration
  8.35  IDLH or oxygen deficient atmosphere
  8.36  Emergency escape respirators
  8.37  Respirable air quality
  8.38  Corrective eyewear
  8.39  Face seal
  8.40  Fit tests
  8.41  User seal check
  8.42  Medical assessment
  8.43  Optional use
  8.44  Records
  8.45  Maintenance and inspections
Schedule 8-A
Part 9 — Confined Spaces
  9.1  Definitions
  General Requirements
  9.2  Initial determination
  9.3  Prohibited entry
  9.4  Control of hazards
  9.5  Confined space entry program
  Responsibilities
  9.6  Administration
  9.7  Supervision
  9.8  Instruction
  Hazard Assessment and Work Procedures
  9.9  Hazard assessment
  9.10  Procedures
  9.11  Qualifications
  Identification and Entry Permits
  9.12  Identification
  9.13  When permits required
  9.14  Contents of permit
  9.15  Updating the information
  9.16  Record of permit
  Lockout and Control of Harmful Substances
  9.17  Lockout
  9.18  Control of harmful substance in adjacent piping
  9.18.1  Repealed
  9.19  Isolation points
  9.20  Blanks and blinds
  9.21  Double block and bleed
  9.22  Alternative measures of control or isolation of adjacent piping
  9.23  Discharge area
  Verification and Testing
  9.24  Verifying all precautions
  9.25  Testing the atmosphere
  9.26  Procedures and equipment
  Cleaning, Purging, Venting and Inerting
  9.27  Cleaning, purging and venting
  9.28  Risk control
  9.29  Inerting
  Ventilation
  9.30  Continuous ventilation
  9.31  Low hazard atmospheres
  9.32  Mechanical ventilation
  9.33  Natural ventilation
  Standby Persons
  9.34  Low hazard atmosphere
  9.35  Moderate hazard atmosphere
  9.36  High hazard atmosphere, engulfment or entrapment
  Rescue
  9.37  Provision of rescue services
  9.38  Equipment and training
  9.39  Notification
  9.40  Summoning rescue
  9.41  Rescue procedures
  Lifelines, Harnesses and Lifting Equipment
  9.42  When required
  9.43  Standards
  9.44  Line entanglement
  9.45  Additional workers
  Personal Protective Equipment and Other Precautions
  9.46  Repealed
  9.47  Emergency escape respirator
  9.48  Compressed gas cylinders
  9.49  Torches and hoses
  9.50  Electrical equipment
  9.51  Non-sparking tools
Part 10 — De-energization and Lockout
  10.1  Definitions
  10.2  General requirement
  10.3  When lockout required
  10.4  Lockout procedures
  10.5  Access to energy isolating devices
  10.6  Checking locked out equipment
  10.7  Worker responsibilities
  10.8  Removal of locks
  10.9  Group lockout procedure
  10.10  Alternative procedures
  10.11  Locks not required
  10.12  Work on energized equipment
Part 11 — Fall Protection
  11.1  Definitions
  11.2  Obligation to use fall protection
  11.3  Fall protection plan
  11.4  Selection of harness or belt
  11.5  Equipment standards
  11.6  Anchors
  11.7  Temporary horizontal lifelines
  11.8  Certification by engineer
  11.9  Inspection and maintenance
  11.10  Removal from service
  11.11–11.40  Repealed
Part 12 — Tools, Machinery and Equipment
  12.1  Definitions
  General Requirements
  12.2  Safeguarding requirement
  12.3  Standards
  12.4  Effectiveness of safeguards
  12.5  Fixed guards
  12.6  Lubrication
  12.7  Repealed
  12.8  Repealed
  12.9  Repealed
  12.10  Identifying unsafe equipment
  12.11  Operating controls
  12.12  Machinery location
  12.13  Marking physical hazards
  12.14  Identification of piping
  12.15  Restraining devices
  Guarding Mechanical Power Transmission Parts
  12.16  Rotating hazards
  12.17  Gears and sprockets
  12.18  Reciprocating machinery
  12.19  Drive belts
  12.20  Reaching up
  12.21  Flywheels and pulleys
  Conveyors
  12.22  Standards
  12.23  Belt-type conveyors
  12.24  Screw-type conveyors
  12.25  Feed points
  12.26  Repealed
  12.27  Falling materials
  12.28  Emergency stopping devices
  Power Presses, Brake Presses and Shears
  12.29  Standards
  12.30  Point of operation safeguarding
  12.31  Exception for custom work
  12.32  Supervisory control
  12.33  Repealed
  Feed-rolls and Metal-forming Rolls
  12.34  Feed-rolls
  12.35  Guard design
  12.36  Metal-forming rolls
  Machine Tools
  12.37  Splash guards and shields
  12.38  Lathe chucks
  12.39  Restriction on hand polishing
  12.40  Stock projection
  12.41  Shapers/planers
  12.42  Carriage travel
  12.43  Vertical boring mills
  Abrasive Equipment
  12.44  Standards
  12.45  Protective hood
  12.46  Speed of abrasive wheels
  12.47  Grinding prohibitions
  12.48  Work rests
  12.49  Dust control
  12.50  Repealed
  Powder Actuated Tools
  12.51  Standards
  12.52  Tool selection
  12.53  Tool design
  12.54  Markings
  12.55  Storage
  12.56  Tool use
  12.57  Limitations on use
  Woodworking Tools and Equipment
  12.58  Hand feeding
  12.59  Removing guards
  12.60  Kickback fingers, splitters and spreaders
  12.61  Radial arm saw travel limits
  12.62  Jointers
  12.63  Sanding machines
  12.64  Tenoning machines
  12.65  Hand-held circular saws
  12.66  Cutting heads
  12.67  Band saws
  Mobile Chippers
  12.68  Hand-fed chippers
  12.69  Self-feeding chippers
  12.70  Driven-feed chippers
  12.71  Vertically fed chippers
  Chain Saws
  12.72  Standards
  12.73  Stopping chain movement
  Automotive Lifts and Other Vehicle Supports
  12.74  Standards
  12.75  Assembly and installation
  12.76  Operation
  12.77  Records
  12.78  Inspection and testing
  12.79  Rated capacity
  12.80  Controls
  12.80.1  Vehicle restraint
  12.80.2  Swing-arm restraint
  Miscellaneous Equipment
  12.81  Tumblers
  12.82  Pneumatic nailing and stapling tools
  12.83  Industrial robots
  Drilling Rock or Similar Materials
  12.84  General requirement
  12.85  Drilling equipment
  12.86  Control location
  12.87  Boom hazard
  12.88  Drill jumbos
  12.89  Drilling procedures
  12.90  Rod handling
  12.91  Self-propelled drills
  12.92  Cleaning drilled holes
  Breaking and Melting Metal
  12.93  Breaking metal
  12.94  Inspection of linings
  12.95  Preventing eruptions
  12.96  Inspection of materials
  Abrasive Blasting and High Pressure Washing
  12.97  Definitions
  12.98  Risk assessment
  12.99  Work procedures outside a cabinet
  12.100  Substitution
  12.101  Reuse prohibition
  12.102  Cleanup
  12.103  Engineering controls
  12.104  Exhaust ventilation
  12.105  Restricted work zones
  12.106  Operating controls
  12.107  Repealed
  12.108  Jetting gun
  12.109  Holding work
  12.110  Hose restraint
  12.111  Personal protective equipment
  Welding, Cutting and Allied Processes
  12.112  Standards
  12.113  Repealed
  12.114  Ventilation
  12.115  Coatings on metals
  12.116  Flammable and explosive substances
  12.117  Silver solder
  12.118  Correct equipment
  12.119  Equipment inspection
  12.120  Flashback prevention
  12.121  Receptacles for stubs
  12.122  Radiation protection
  12.123  Protective clothing and equipment
  12.124  Respiratory protection
  12.125  Marking hot work
  12.126  Fire extinguishers
  Painting, Coating and Work with Plastics and Resins
  12.127  Application
  12.128  Substitution
  12.129  Restrictions
  12.130  Warning signs
  12.131  Enclosure
  12.132  Air flow
  12.133  Control of ignition sources
  12.134  Arrester filters
  12.135  Respiratory protection
  12.136  Disposal of isocyanate containers
  12.137  Repealed
  12.138  Airless spray equipment
  12.139  Design for high pressure
  12.140  Heating plastics
  12.141  Resin foams
  Laundry and Dry Cleaning Activities
  12.142  Definitions
  Dry Cleaning
  12.143  Open cleaning prohibited
  12.144  Systems and equipment
  12.145  Equipment labels
  12.146  Solvent handling
  12.147  Bulk storage
  12.148  Machine ventilation
  12.149  General ventilation
  12.150  Inspection and repair
  12.151  Open flame heaters
  12.152  Combustion air supply
  12.153  Vents
  12.154  Servicing and maintenance
  12.155  Emergency ventilation
  12.156  Spotting chemicals
  12.157  Supplier responsibility
  12.158  Operator responsibility
  Laundry Equipment
  12.159  Flatwork ironers
  12.160  Roller-type ironers
  12.161  Press-type ironers
  12.162  Interlocks
  12.163  Centrifugal extractors
  12.164  Laundry chutes
  12.165  Laundry carts
  12.166  Spillage
  Rail Car Movement
  12.167