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The BCFED appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations regarding the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 5, Occupational Exposure Limits, Benzene. A component of crude oil, benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon widely used as a raw material in the production of many different products. It is also a component of wood, gasoline and tobacco smoke. Workers and the general public are exposed to benzene in a large number of workplaces as well as environmentally through motor vehicle emissions, wildfire and cigarette smoke, and gas stations also produce benzene.

The BC Federation of Labour (“BCFED” “Federation”) appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (“OHSR” “Regulation”) Part 20 related to shotcrete. Shotcreting requires significant skill and experience and is extremely hazardous work. There is a pressing need for better planning, supervision, training and accountability for worker safety. It is critical to implement additional regulatory requirements to prevent serious injuries, illness and fatalities going forward.

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.