The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has introduced changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act General Regulations and Fall Protection Regulations.  

The amendments are part of the National Occupational Health and Safety Reconciliation Agreement, signed by Ministers responsible for labour legislation across Canada.  The goal is to reduce jurisdictional trade barriers by ensuring regulatory requirements are simplified and consistent across the country. The agreement sets out standards in relation to personal protective equipment and first aid kits that will be recognized by all jurisdictions, as reflected in the proposed regulatory amendments.

 “The amendments will help harmonize regulatory requirements to enable employers and workers to work more seamlessly across jurisdictions,” said Jim MacPhee, Chair of the Workers Compensation Board.

The amended regulations are also a result of a review of all provincial regulations that reference standards (for example, Canadian Standards Association). As part of this review, the WCB reviewed 3 sets of its regulations that reference outdated standards and made regulatory updates as a result.

The new regulations came into effect March 6, 2021. The WCB will work with employers and workers to provide further education and awareness on the amendments. For more information on what has changed specifically and how it impacts businesses, visit wcb.pe.ca/Workplace/AmendmentstoRegs.