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A pdf of the complete submission can be found here. Our followup letter to the WCB on April 23, 2026, can be found here. Introduction The BC Federation of Labour appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation Part 8 – Personal Protective Equipment, and Part 31 - Firefighting. The BCFED represents

The BC Federation of Labour appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (“OHSR”) Part 6: Substance specific requirements, Part 24: Diving, fishing and other marine operations and Part 28: Agriculture. The BCFED believes the proposed amendments to the OHSR go a long way to update and improve the existing requirements for toxic process gases (“TPGs”).

The proposed amendments to the OHSR go some way to update and improve the existing requirements for automotive lifts. However, the Federation is disappointed the Board has not proposed regulatory language that offers a significantly higher standard of protection for workers. In the following, we address those sections of the regulation we believe require further amendments.

The proposed amendments to the OHSR Parts 4, 13, 14, 20 and 31 are much needed, especially in relation to tower cranes. Strengthening the requirements for equipment to be inspected and certified both before being operated and periodically over time will help to prevent serious injuries and save lives. We urge the Board of Directors to seriously consider our recommendations so we meet our goal to ensure that BC health and safety regulations set high standards for the prevention of injury and death for workers.

The BC Federation of Labour appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments for Part 6, Combustible Dusts and subsequent changes to Part 4, General Conditions, Part 5, Chemical Agents and Biological Agents, and Part 31, Firefighting in the OHS regulation. The proposed combustible dust regulation resulted from the tragic dust explosions at the Babine Mill in Burns Lake and Lakeland Mill in Prince George in January and April of 2012. The Babine Mill explosion killed Robert Luggi Jr. and Carl Charlie and injured 19 workers. The Lakeland Mill explosion killed Alan Little and Glenn Roche and injured 24.

A pdf of the complete submission can be found here. Introduction The BC Federation of Labour (“BCFED”) is committed to ensuring that workers' rights and well-being are maintained and strengthened as we make the necessary shift to a clean economy. In the current moment, with our governments looking for province- and nation-building projects to ensure energy sovereignty and security, there is huge