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OHS Insider Month in Review ? March 2019 Nunavut

LAWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Workers’ Comp Filing Deadline

February 28, 2019

 

Workers’ Comp

Feb.: Keep a close eye on the workers’ comp reform legislation (Bill 8) (Bill 25 in NWT) working its way through the Assembly. Key provisions:

  • Clarify definitions of ‘disability,’ ‘impairment’ and ’employer’
  • Eliminate requirement for a primary health care provider
  • Clarify compensation payable to dependent child of a dead worker
  • Add unemployment benefits as category of remuneration in totaling income
  • Authority of WSCC to inspect health care providers’ records to verify services received by a worker.

 

NWT & Nunavut: Proposed Changes to OHS Regulations

Part of OHS Regulations Proposed Change(s)
Sec. 81, Smoking on Worksite * Clarify employer’s responsibilities;

* Confirm requirement that workers may not smoke on a worksite

* Expand ban to cover e-cigarettes and vaporizers

Schedule C’List of High Hazard Work * Add confined spaces

*Clarify connection between High Hazard Work & first aid supply/system requirements

*Fix typo by changing ‘swilling’ to ‘sawmilling’

Section 198(4) Clarification of how to ensure safe control of aerial devices or elevating work platforms when not in use

 

Part 11, Powered Mobile Equipment Revise and clarify definition of ‘powered mobile equipment’
Part 5, First Aid Revise and clarify Sec. 55(b) to explain which workplaces are exempt from Part 5
Part 3, General Duties Extend current requirement that employers maintain written training records for all workers
Pressure Gauges Add requirement to have and maintain pressure gauges on compressed gas systems and any other system where such requirement is necessary
Section 151, Explosive-Actuated Fastening Tool Add requirement that worker have and wear hearing protection when using an explosive-actuated fastening tool
Section 119, Fall Protection Add new requirements for addressing trip hazards
Seat Belts Add specific provision requiring worker to wear a seat belt in situations already identified in the Regulations, as well as clarification to the term ‘use’ in the seat belt provisions currently in the Regulations, e.g., Section 167
Part 10, Machine Safety Add specific provisions for workers to use appropriate and undamaged electrical extension cords
Section 16(2), Supervision of Work Clarify that a supervisor must ensure workers comply with their general duty to work safely and any specific legislative requirements that apply
Section 29, Preservation of Fatal Accident Scene Extend requirement that scene be preserved to also include the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury
Asbestos Re-categorize removal of drywall material where asbestos joint filling compounds have been used from Part C of Schedule X: Low Risk Asbestos Processes, to Part B of Schedule X: Moderate Risk Asbestos Processes
Section 1, Definitions Add unplanned or uncontrolled fire to definition of ‘Dangerous Occurrences’
Anchor Points Revise anchor strength requirements, e.g., those listed in Sec 122(4), to require higher ultimate load capacity of 22.2 kN

Source: WSCC, Proposed Revisions to OHS Regulations

 

Workers’ Comp

March: Proposed policy changes the WSCC is planning to take up at its upcoming governance meeting pertain to:

Policy 02.06, Account Registration.