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 02.05, Reporting Payroll
Policy 02.06, Account Registration.
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