WorkSafeBC @WorkSafeBC

The Summer 2026 Issue of WorkSafe Magazine is here and it’s packed with tools and insights to help you spot risks earlier, ask better safety questions, and strengthen your health and safety program. Inside this edition: • What to expect during a workplace inspection • How to manage risks linked to rotating telehandlers • How a key risk inventory can help identify serious hazards • How joint health and safety committees can move safety forward • What home sharing providers should know about Personal Coverage Read the Summer issue of WorkSafe Magazine: ms.spr.ly/6018vl2Vi

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Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to policy in the Assessment Manual to clarify how misrepresentation is interpreted in the context of classification change. Consultation period ends on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Learn more: ms.spr.ly/6014v5lnE

A mega-event is a major, time-limited event that can reshape its host city. This summer, that's Vancouver. ⚽ Until July 19, an international sporting mega-event will bring bigger crowds and busier days to workplaces across the Lower Mainland, especially in food & beverage, tourism & hospitality, and transportation. When things get busier, familiar workplace risks get bigger. Whether you're an employer or a worker, getting prepared for this busy period can help you and your teams stay safe. You can learn more and find our collected resources for this summer's mega-event at ms.spr.ly/6017vcx1V

Now’s the time to plan for hot working conditions to protect your workers from heat stress. ✅ Plan on implementing controls such as proper ventilation and insulation for hot surfaces. ✅ Organize work so physically demanding tasks are done at cooler times of day. ✅ Provide water at all times to keep workers cool and hydrated. Learn more here: ms.spr.ly/6011vkIMN

Now’s the time to plan for hot working conditions and how to protect your workers from heat stress. Use our interactive heat stress screening tool to help you evaluate when your workers may be at risk for heat stress and what controls you should put in place: ms.spr.ly/6018vkIK4

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Small business employers have a responsibility to help keep workers safe when they drive for work, even if driving is only an occasional part of the job. This Road Safety at Work webinar is a helpful starting point for understanding the basics and taking practical steps to support safer driving at work. Register for Road Safety Basics for Small Business below zoom.us/webinar/regist…

Road Safety at Work @RoadSafeAtWork

a month ago

If your small but mighty team drives for any reason at work – deliveries, client visits, site checks, errands – you have employer responsibilities. Learn how road safety management can start with a few simple steps: Register for our next webinar for free: zoom.us/webinar/regist…

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Now’s the time to plan for hot working conditions to protect your workers from heat stress. ⛱ Plan on implementing controls such as shade structures or cool-down areas where appropriate. 🕐 Schedule the most difficult/physical tasks outside of peak sun exposure hours. 💧 Provide water at all times to keep workers cool and hydrated. Learn more here: ms.spr.ly/6017v5VfB

We’ve released our 2025 Annual Report and 2026–2028 Service Plan and here’s what employers should know. WorkSafeBC remains in a strong financial position and returned $564 million in surplus funds to employers this year. The report signals some important trends: 📊 WorkSafeBC is facing continued economic uncertainty, rising claim costs, and a reduction in surplus funds compared to the prior year. 📋 These trends can affect the workers’ compensation system and may put pressure on future premium rates. 🔍 WorkSafeBC will continue to monitor these pressures and work to keep rates stable for employers. Read the 2025 Annual Report and 2026–2028 Service Plan here: ms.spr.ly/6016vbdXa

As construction and seasonal work ramps up across B.C., we’re joining @BCHydro to remind employers and workers that electrical safety needs to be part of every job plan, not just for electricians. WorkSafeBC data shows that from 2015 to 2025, about 74% of claims related to contact with power lines involved workers in non-electrical occupations, including construction workers, painters, window washers, surveyors, and crane or heavy equipment operators. Before starting work near overhead or underground power lines: ✅ Know the requirements and minimum approach distances ✅ Look up, look down, and identify overhead and underground lines ✅ Stay at least 3 metres, or 10 feet, away from power lines. Depending on the task, a greater distance may be required under the Occupational Health & Safety Regulations. ✅ Click or call BC 1 Call before disturbing soil ✅ Use the right equipment: Never use metal or aluminum ladders near power lines. Fiberglass ladders reduce risk but do not remove the hazard. ✅ Treat downed or damaged lines as live. Stay back 10 metres, or 33 feet, and call 911 Learn more about worker and employer responsibilities in our latest news release: ms.spr.ly/6012vZx8g

Employers: Our revised practice directive for assessable payroll is helping cut through confusion by clarifying exactly what needs to be tracked and reported. If your business handles tips and gratuities, this WorkSafe Magazine feature breaks down the reporting of verifiable tips and what it means for service employers. As of January 1, 2026, employers are required to track and report only verifiable tips, helping simplify reporting and create more consistent payroll assessment practices. Read the article here: ms.spr.ly/6018v8fPk

Commercial fishing boats can be hazardous work environments, and the right safety resources can help crews better recognize risks and prevent injuries. An updated edition of ‘Gearing Up for Safety in Commercial Fishing’, offers practical guidance designed to make safety approachable for everyone working at sea. Here’s what’s new in our flagship health and safety book for commercial fishing: ✅ Fresh graphics and plain language to better reflect current legislation ✅ Expanded focus on new and young worker training requirements ✅ Clear, visual illustrations to support safety strategies and longer engagement. Read the updated guide and explore more safety resources for commercial fishing at ms.spr.ly/6012v8f1j

Working on a ladder can be complex, but there are some simple ways to make it safer. 🛠️ Start by using a tool belt to help keep your hands free for three-point contact and make sure to work in pairs when larger items need to move up or down the ladder. Remember: Smart habits can help prevent serious injuries. Watch the full video here: ms.spr.ly/6014vy2Hp

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Student Safety Video Contest! Students across B.C. submitted more than 70 videos on the theme “Use your voice for safety,” sharing powerful messages about speaking up when you see a workplace hazard. The 2026 winners are: Grades 8 to 10 🏆 Accidents Don’t Stay Silent — 🏆 Voices — Partners in Education, Qathet school district Grades 11 and 12 🏆 The Book of WorkSafe Wisdom — @RockRidgeSS 🏆 Voltage — @GPSabres1 A special congratulations to The Book of WorkSafe Wisdom, which also received the Actsafe Aspiring Filmmaker Award and took first place in the national Focus on Safety Youth Video Contest. Thank you to all the students, schools, sponsors, and voters who helped make this year’s contest a success. Watch the winning videos : ms.spr.ly/6019vRhMc

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Noise-cancelling isn’t the same as hearing protection. 🎧 Personal audio devices may block out distractions, but that doesn’t mean they protect your hearing on the job. Learn more about hearing protection at work in this quick video from WorkSafeBC occupational audiologist Sasha Brown. If you or someone you know uses noise-cancelling headphones at work, watch and share this video, or read the full article in the spring issue of WorkSafe Magazine: ms.spr.ly/6010v8Fqj

Securing loads properly is an important part of keeping workers and the public safe on B.C. roads. Join @RoadSafeAtWork for a free Ask an Expert Q&A on load securement, where industry experts will answer questions, discuss common cargo securement mistakes, and share practical guidance for preventing incidents. Register for the May 13 session below⮯

Road Safety at Work @RoadSafeAtWork

2 months ago

Join our Ask an Expert Q&A! This session’s topic is all about preventing common cargo securement mistakes. If you attended our most recent webinar on the topic, we’ll cover questions we couldn’t get to. 📆 May 13 ⏲️ 11:00 AM 📍 zoom.us/webinar/regist… #AskAnExpert

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Being prepared is part of building a safe and healthy workplace. 🦺 This week is Emergency Preparedness Week, and this year's theme is "Be Prepared. Know Your Risks." That work starts by having a plan in place before an emergency happens. Under B.C.'s workplace health and safety legislation, employers are required to have an emergency response plan. If you’re not sure where to begin, here are three key steps to get started: ✅ Visit ms.spr.ly/6016v3LMk to learn about risks specific to your workplace ✅ Create and communicate a response plan with your team ✅ Assemble and maintain an emergency kit on-site You can also visit ms.spr.ly/6010v3LMj to identify local risks, build a workplace emergency plan, and update your kit. Take some time this week to make sure you and your team know what to do in an emergency, and let’s keep every worker in B.C. informed, prepared, and ready to respond.

Roadside work safety should start even before workers arrive on site. That planning is crucial to protecting workers from the all-too-common risk of being struck by a vehicle. Read how risk assessments, traffic control plans, effective supervision, and clear worker orientation help protect workers from traffic hazards For more information on working around traffic, visit ms.spr.ly/6013v84Bz

“Construction Safety Week highlights the progress we’ve made in improving safety on worksites, but known and emerging risks continue to result in injuries to workers, showing there is more work to be done.” says Todd McDonald, head of Prevention Services at WorkSafeBC. From 2021 to 2025, WorkSafeBC accepted approximately: ▪️ 38,000 claims in construction ▪️ 7,400 serious injury claims ▪️ More than $1.3 billion in total claim costs The most common injury type continues to be musculoskeletal injury, with nearly 11,000 claims caused by overexertion and other bodily motions. Falls from elevation and struck-by incidents also remain major risks, with nearly 5,800 claims related to falls and nearly 7,000 involving workers being struck by objects, equipment, or vehicles. Read our latest news release for more information and access to construction safety resources: ms.spr.ly/6012vMks0 #ConstructionSafetyWeek #ConstructionSafety

This Construction Safety Week, we’re recognizing the progress made across B.C.’s construction sector and the continued work needed to keep people safe. Over the past decade, the overall time-loss injury rate in construction has declined by 25%, reflecting stronger safety planning, training, supervision, and hazard management across the industry. But construction remains one of B.C.’s highest-risk sectors, and safer worksites depend on everyone doing their part: identifying hazards, applying effective controls, and speaking up when something doesn’t look right. Learn more in our latest news release: ms.spr.ly/6015vMkjR #ConstructionSafetyWeek #ConstructionSafety

Ladder safety always matters, even at smaller sizes.🪜 From stockrooms to back-of-house spaces, if you’re using a step-ladder, make sure you follow these three important safety steps: ✓ Clear the area and remove all clutter and distractions ✓ Make sure the ladder is fully opened and locked on a firm, level surface ✓ Maintain 3three-point contact with the ladder Always choose the right ladder for the job and use it safely. Learn more by watching the full video.