OCHS 1101-3

Who does the OHSR apply to? What are some exceptions?

Applies to: Most BC employers, workers, contractors, and suppliers.

Exceptions: Certain federally regulated workplaces.

Is OHS regulation the ultimate standard that employers strive to achieve?

No. Sets the minimum standard

When it comes to OHS prevention and compensation laws, how is BC different than the rest of the provinces?

BC uses only WSBC

What 5 documents provide information necessary for the OHS requirements in BC?

• WCA

• Hazardous Products Act

• OHSR

• Prevention Manual (policies)

• OHS Guidelines

What is the purpose of OHSR? How is the regulation organized?

Purpose: Prevent workplace harm.

Organization: 34 parts covering

• Core requirements

• General hazards

• Industry-specific requirements

What 4 sections fall under the Core Requirements of the OHSR? Briefly describe what’s covered under each section.

Definitions: define key terms

Applications/scope: who this is applied to, jurisdictional scope

Rights/responsibilities: duties of employers, supervisors, workers

General Conditions: covers broad workplace conditions

List 5 general topics that can be found under the ‘General hazard requirements’ parts of the OHSR. Describe one in detail as to what requirements fall under the section/ what it covers.

Chemical agents

substances

Noise, vibration, radiation, temperature

PPE

Confined spaces

Lockout

Fall protection: Covers workers from falls with guardrails, safety nets, or fall-arrest equipment

List 5 industries that can be found listed under ‘industry specific requirements’ parts of the OHSR.

Construction

Forestry

Oil and gas

Agriculture

Firefighting

Diving

fishing

other marine

Define: Board, Engineering Controls, Hazard, Incident, Practicable, Qualified, Risk

a. Board: WCB (WSBC);

b. Engineering Controls: Physical modifications reducing or eliminating hazards;

c. Hazard: potential to cause harm;

d. Incident: event that caused harm;

e. Practicable: reasonably possible to do;

f. Qualified: trained and knowledge to do the work;

g. Risk: probability of harm occurring

Describe the “general duty clause”. What’s the benefit of having this clause in the regulation?

Employers have a duty to protect workplace health and safety.

Benefit: Covers hazards not addressed by other rules

What must employers do when they receive any directives/ reports from WSBC?

Comply, post where required, share with JHSC or worker rep

When would an OHS program be required at a workplace?

Workplaces with 20+ employees

Smaller workplaces designated by WSBC

List 7 items that must be included in an OHS Program.

Roles and responsibilities

Regular inspections

Written safety procedures

Safety meetings

Incident investigations

Records and statistics

Training and supervision

What are the three fundamental workers rights in Canada?

Right to know about hazards

Right to participate in making workplace safer

Right to refuse unsafe work

Outline the 3 steps that must be followed if a worker refuses unsafe work

1. Worker reports hazard and employer investigates; 2. If unresolved, worker investigates with worker rep; 3. If still unresolved, WSBC investigates

What are Four factors that must be considered when doing a risk assessment for occupational first aid requirements?

number of workers

Workplace hazards and risks

Distance and travel time to medical care

Ambulance access to workplace

How long must the first aid record be maintained in a workplace?

3+ years

What’s the definition of “new worker”? What are some specific requirements pertaining to new Workers?

Definition: Anyone new to job.

Requirements: Needs safety orientation, hazard training, close supervision

What’s the definition of “young worker”? What are some specific requirements pertaining to young workers?

Definition: A worker under 25.

Requirements: Training, supervision, legal working age

What must employers do to ensure their workplace is ready during an emergency?

Have emergency plan ready

Assess risks

Have evac route

Train workers

Do drills

What is covered under the definition of “impairment”?

Any condition reducing a worker’s ability to work safely

• Tired

• Drugs

• Alcohol

• Medical conditions

What must an employer do if someone is found to be impaired at their worksite?

Remove them from site

Prevent them from endangering others

What is the definition of “working alone”? What must employers do if there is a potential for workers to be working alone or in isolation?

Definition: Working without available assistance during an emergency

Action: Set up check ins and procedures

Define “late night retail premises”. List 4 preventative measures that employer must take to protect workers working in a late night retail premises.

Definition: Retail premises operating from 11pm-6am.

Preventative measures:

• Access controls

• Good lighting/visibility

• Security cameras

• Panic alarms

Differentiate between workplace conduct and violence in the workplace.

Conduct: inappropriate behaviour

Violence: Actual or attempted physical force

What are 4 tobacco related activities that are prohibited in the workplace?

Smoking

Vaping in prohibited areas

Lighting tobacco indoors

Smoking in restricted outdoor areas

Define: 8-hour TWA limit, ALARA, STEL, Ceiling Limit, Supplier label, Workplace label

a. 8-hour TWA limit: avg. exposure limit over 8h;

b. ALARA: As Low As Reasonably Achieveable;

c. STEL: Short Term Exposure Limit (15 min);

d. Ceiling Limit: Absolute max concentration that cannot be exceeded;

e. Supplier label: Hazard label provided by manufacturer or supplier;

f. Workplace label: Employer label for when something hazardous is moved from one container to another

List 4 key points pertaining to WHMIS under the OHS Regulations

Hazard classification

Supplier and workplace labels

Accessible SDSs

Worker education and training

List the hierarchy of controls- in order of most preferred to least preferred

Elimination

Substitution

Engineering

Awareness

Administration

PPE

Describe which personal protective equipment is the responsibility of the worker versus the employer

Employer: Provide specialized, required PPE

Worker: bring basic PPE like CSA-approved boots

Define: Anchor, Fall protection system, Fall arrest system, Fall restraint system, Lanyard

a. Anchor: Secure attachment point for fall protection;

b. Fall protection system: any system designed to prevent or protect against falls;

c. Fall arrest system: stops a worker after a fall begins;

d. Fall restraint system: stops a worker from falling;

e. Lanyard: flexible connector between a harness and an anchor