| Copyright (c) Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada |
Licence Disclaimer |
| B.C. Reg. 296/97 W.C.B. |
Deposited September 8, 1997 effective April 15, 1998 |
| This archived regulation consolidation is current to August 31, 2007 and includes changes enacted and in force by that date. For the most current information, click here. |
[includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 106/2007, July 26, 2007]
Buildings, Structures and Equipment
4.1 Buildings, structures, excavations, machinery, equipment, tools and workplaces must be maintained in such a condition that workers will not be endangered.
4.2 The employer must ensure that each building and temporary or permanent structure in a workplace is capable of withstanding any stresses likely to be imposed on it.
4.3 (1) The employer must ensure that each tool, machine and piece of equipment in the workplace is
(a) capable of safely performing the functions for which it is used, and
(b) selected, used and operated in accordance with
(i) the manufacturer's instructions, if available,
(ii) safe work practices, and
(iii) the requirements of this Regulation.
(2) Unless otherwise specified by this Regulation, the installation, inspection, testing, repair and maintenance of a tool, machine or piece of equipment must be carried out
(a) in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and any standard the tool, machine or piece of equipment is required to meet, or
(b) as specified by a professional engineer.
(3) A tool, machine or piece of equipment determined to be unsafe for use must be identified in a manner which will ensure it is not inadvertently returned to service until it is made safe for use.
(4) Unless otherwise specified by this Regulation, any modification of a tool, machine or piece of equipment must be carried out in accordance with
(a) the manufacturer's instructions, if available,
(b) safe work practices, and
(c) the requirements of this Regulation.
[en. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. B, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 243/2006, s. 1.]
4.4 (1) If this Regulation requires that a tool, machine or piece of equipment manufactured before April 15, 1998 must meet a code or standard, the tool, machine or piece of equipment must conform to the edition of the code or standard referred to in this Regulation or the edition of the code or standard published at the time the tool, machine or piece of equipment was manufactured, subject only to the modification or upgrading specified to be necessary in this Regulation or in a directive issued by the Board.
(2) When this Regulation requires a person to comply with
(a) a publication, code or standard of the Board or another agency, the person may, as an alternative, comply with another publication, code or standard acceptable to the Board, or
(b) practices, procedures or rules of the Board or another agency, the person may, as an alternative, comply with another practice, procedure or rule acceptable to the Board.
[en. B.C. Reg. 253/2001, s. 2; am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 1.]
4.5 If this Regulation requires an operation or maintenance manual for a tool, machine or piece of equipment, the employer must ensure that before the tool, machine or piece of equipment is used in the workplace
(a) the manual has been obtained, and
(b) the supplier has provided sufficient information to identify the standard or standards to which the tool, machine or equipment has been manufactured.
(c) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. J, s. 1 (c).]
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. J, s. 1.]
4.6 If machinery, equipment or a structure is dismantled in whole or in part, and subsequently re-assembled, it must be checked by a qualified person and determined to be safe before operation or use.
4.7 If a machine or piece of equipment has a rated capacity which varies with the reach or configuration of the machine or equipment, or has other operating limitations,
(a) appropriate instructions, load charts and warning notices must be affixed to the machine or equipment so as to be visible to the operator when the operator is at the controls, or
(b) the information, in written form, must be available to the operator.
4.8 (1) Unless provided elsewhere in this Regulation, the rated capacity or rated load of a machine or piece of equipment is that specified by the manufacturer of the machine or piece of equipment based on its design.
(2) The rated capacity or rated load must be certified by a professional engineer if
(a) the manufacturer's specification or other acceptable warranty cannot be produced,
(b) the equipment or machine has been modified in a manner which will change its rated capacity or rated load,
(c) wear, corrosion, damage or signs of fatigue are found which may reduce the rated capacity or rated load,
(d) the equipment or machine is used in a manner or for a purpose other than that for which it was originally designed, if the use will change the safe working load, or
(e) in the opinion of the Board, the provision of such certification is deemed necessary.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. C, s. 2.]
4.9 (1) If this Regulation requires a machine or piece of equipment to have an inspection and maintenance record, then an effective written or other permanent recording system or log must be immediately available to the equipment operator and to any other person involved with inspection and maintenance of the equipment.
(2) The recording system must
(a) identify the make, model and serial number of the equipment, and the name and address of the current owner,
(b) contain an entry on each shift, signed by the operator of the machine or equipment, reporting the result of each start of shift inspection and safety check, and any observed defect, operating difficulty or need for maintenance occurring on the shift, and
(c) contain an entry signed by the person responsible for any test, inspection, modification, repair or maintenance performed on the equipment, summarizing the work done, indicating the status of the equipment or machine for further use, and if appropriate, noting where a detailed record of the test, inspection, modification, repair or maintenance can be obtained.
(3) If this Regulation requires a machine or piece of equipment to have inspection and maintenance records, then detailed reports of inspection, maintenance, repairs and modifications must be kept for the duration of the service life of the machine or equipment and must be reasonably available to the workplace and made available, upon request, to the operator and to anyone else involved in the operation, inspection, testing or maintenance of the equipment.
4.10 (1) A machine or piece of equipment may only be operated by authorized persons.
(2) A person must not be authorized to operate a machine or piece of equipment until the person has been adequately instructed and trained, and has demonstrated an ability to safely operate it.
4.11 Before any equipment, machinery or work process is put into operation the persons responsible for doing so must ensure that
(a) safeguards and air contaminant controls required by this Regulation are in place and functioning, and
(b) no person will be exposed to undue risk by putting the equipment, machinery or work process into operation.
4.12 A person must not intentionally remove, impair, or render ineffective any safeguard provided for the protection of workers, except as permitted by this Regulation.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
4.13 (1) The employer must conduct a risk assessment in any workplace in which a need to rescue or evacuate workers may arise.
(2) If the risk assessment required by subsection (1) shows a need for evacuation or rescue, appropriate written procedures must be developed and implemented, and a worker assigned to coordinate their implementation.
(3) Written rescue and evacuation procedures are required for but not limited to
(a) work at high angles,
(b) work in confined spaces or where there is a risk of entrapment,
(c) work with hazardous substances,
(d) underground work,
(e) work on or over water, and
(f) workplaces where there are persons who require physical assistance to be moved.
4.14 (1) Emergency means of escape must be provided from any work area in which the malfunctioning of equipment or a work process could create an immediate danger to workers and the regular means of exit could become dangerous or unusable.
(2) Emergency exit routes must be designed and marked to provide quick and unimpeded exit.
(3) At least once each year emergency drills must be held to ensure awareness and effectiveness of emergency exit routes and procedures, and a record of the drills must be kept.
4.16 (1) All workers must be given adequate instruction in the fire prevention and emergency evacuation procedures applicable to their workplace.
(2) Workers assigned to firefighting duties in their workplace must be given adequate training, by a qualified instructor, in fire suppression methods, fire prevention, emergency procedures, organization and chain of command, firefighting crew safety and communications applicable to their workplace.
(3) Retraining for firefighting duties must be provided periodically, but not less than once a year.
(4) A worker not covered by Part 31 (Firefighting), who is assigned to firefighting duties, must be physically capable of performing the assigned duties safely and effectively before being permitted to do them.
4.17 (1) An employer having at a workplace controlled products covered by WHMIS, explosives, pesticides, radioactive material, consumer products or hazardous wastes in quantities which may endanger firefighters, must ensure the local fire department is notified of the nature and location of the hazardous materials or substances and methods to be used in their safe handling.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a workplace
(a) where materials are kept on site for less than 15 days if the employer ensures an alternative effective means for notification of fire departments is in place in the event of fire or other emergency, or
(b) which is not within the service area of a fire department.
4.18 An employer whose work activities result in a hit or damage to a pipeline, buried electrical cable or other such utility must notify the owner of the utility without delay.
4.19 (1) A worker with a physical or mental impairment which may affect the worker's ability to safely perform assigned work must inform his or her supervisor or employer of the impairment, and must not knowingly do work where the impairment may create an undue risk to the worker or anyone else.
(2) A worker must not be assigned to activities where a reported or observed impairment may create an undue risk to the worker or anyone else.
[am. B.C. Reg. 185/99, s. 21.]
4.20 (1) A person must not enter or remain at any workplace while the person's ability to work is affected by alcohol, a drug or other substance so as to endanger the person or anyone else.
(2) The employer must not knowingly permit a person to remain at any workplace while the person's ability to work is affected by alcohol, a drug or other substance so as to endanger the person or anyone else.
(3) A person must not remain at a workplace if the person's behaviour is affected by alcohol, a drug or other substance so as to create an undue risk to workers, except where such a workplace has as one of its purposes the treatment or confinement of such persons.
4.21 (1) The employer must develop and implement a written procedure for checking the well-being of a worker assigned to work alone or in isolation under conditions which present a risk of disabling injury, if the worker might not be able to secure assistance in the event of injury or other misfortune.
(2) The procedure for checking a worker's well-being must include the time interval between checks and the procedure to follow in case the worker cannot be contacted, including provisions for emergency rescue.
(3) A person must be designated to establish contact with the worker at predetermined intervals and the results must be recorded by the person.
(4) In addition to checks at regular intervals, a check at the end of the work shift must be done.
(5) The procedure for checking a worker's well-being, including time intervals between the checks, must be developed in consultation with the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable.
(6) Time intervals for checking a worker's well-being must be developed in consultation with the worker assigned to work alone or in isolation.
4.22 A worker required to work in the circumstances described in section 4.21 (1) and any person assigned to check on the worker must be trained in the written procedure for checking the worker's well-being.
4.23 The procedure and system for checking a worker's well-being must be reviewed at least annually, or more frequently if there is a change in work arrangements which could adversely affect a worker's well-being or a report that the system is not working effectively.
4.24 In sections 4.25 and 4.26: "improper activity or behaviour" includes
(a) the attempted or actual exercise by a worker towards another worker of any physical force so as to cause injury, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour which gives the worker reasonable cause to believe he or she is at risk of injury, and
(b) horseplay, practical jokes, unnecessary running or jumping or similar conduct.
4.25 A person must not engage in any improper activity or behaviour at a workplace that might create or constitute a hazard to themselves or to any other person.
4.26 Improper activity or behaviour must be reported and investigated as required by Part 3 (Rights and Responsibilities).
4.27 In sections 4.28 to 4.31, "violence" means the attempted or actual exercise by a person, other than a worker, of any physical force so as to cause injury to a worker, and includes any threatening statement or behaviour which gives a worker reasonable cause to believe that he or she is at risk of injury.
4.28 (1) A risk assessment must be performed in any workplace in which a risk of injury to workers from violence arising out of their employment may be present.
(2) The risk assessment must include the consideration of
(a) previous experience in that workplace,
(b) occupational experience in similar workplaces, and
(c) the location and circumstances in which work will take place.
4.29 If a risk of injury to workers from violence is identified by an assessment performed under section 4.28 the employer must
(a) establish procedures, policies and work environment arrangements to eliminate the risk to workers from violence, and
(b) if elimination of the risk to workers is not possible, establish procedures, policies and work environment arrangements to minimize the risk to workers.
(c) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. D, s. 1 (c).]
[am. B.C. Regs. 185/99, s. 22; 312/2003, App. D, s. 1.]
4.30 (1) An employer must inform workers who may be exposed to the risk of violence of the nature and extent of the risk.
(2) The duty to inform workers in subsection (1) includes a duty to provide information related to the risk of violence from persons who have a history of violent behaviour and whom workers are likely to encounter in the course of their work.
(3) The employer must instruct workers who may be exposed to the risk of violence in
(a) the means for recognition of the potential for violence,
(b) the procedures, policies and work environment arrangements which have been developed to minimize or effectively control the risk to workers from violence,
(c) the appropriate response to incidents of violence, including how to obtain assistance, and
(d) procedures for reporting, investigating and documenting incidents of violence.
4.31 (1) and (2) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. D, s. 2 (a).]
(3) The employer must ensure that a worker reporting an injury or adverse symptom as a result of an incident of violence is advised to consult a physician of the worker's choice for treatment or referral.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. D, s. 2.]
4.32 There must be a safe way of entering and leaving each place where work is performed and a worker must not use another way, if the other way is hazardous.
4.33 (1) A work area must be arranged to allow the safe movement of people, equipment and materials.
(2) If, to ensure safety, an aisle or passageway is designated for pedestrian traffic, the route must be clearly indicated by markings or other effective means and, where practicable, floor or grade markings must be used.
4.34 Hazardous areas not intended to be accessible to workers must be secured by locked doors or equivalent means of security, and must not be entered unless safe work procedures are developed and followed.
4.35 (1) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 2 (a).]
(2) If a door installed in a workplace swings towards a stair, the full arc of its swing must be over a landing.
(3) A double-acting swing door must permit a person approaching the door to see any person approaching from the opposite side so as not to endanger their safety.
(4) A glass or transparent door must have hardware, bars or markings so that its presence and position are readily apparent.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 2.]
4.36 (1) Repealed. [B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 3.]
(2) A panel, window or sidelight made of glass or similar transparent material, which could be mistaken for a doorway, must have bars or markings so that its presence and position are readily apparent.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 3.]
4.37 A worker must not be permitted to enter or work in an area if visibility in the area is restricted by the presence of smoke, steam or other substance in the atmosphere, unless appropriate safe work procedures are followed.
4.38 (1) An open flame or other high temperature or extreme low temperature source or surface, which could cause a burn or other injury, must be positioned or shielded to prevent contact by workers.
(2) If an extreme temperature source is necessarily exposed due to the work process, safe work procedures must be established, and workers must be instructed in those procedures and must wear appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment.
4.39 (1) Floors, platforms, ramps, stairs and walkways available for use by workers must be maintained in a state of good repair and kept free of slipping and tripping hazards.
(2) If such areas are taken out of service the employer must take reasonable means for preventing entry or use.
4.40 If a work process results in a liquid accumulating on the floor or grade surface in a work area and the liquid creates a slipping or other hazard, floor drains or other suitable means must be used to control the hazard.
4.41 Refuse, spills and waste material must not be allowed to accumulate so as to constitute a hazard.
4.42 (1) Compressed air or steam must not be used for blowing dust, chips, or other substances from equipment, materials and structures if any person could be exposed to the jet, or to the material it expels or propels and an injury or health hazard due to fire, explosion or other cause is likely to result.
(2) Subject to subsection (4) compressed air may not be used for blowing harmful or hazardous dusts or other harmful substances from clothing being worn by workers.
(3) If clothing is to be cleaned before leaving the work area, suitable cleaning equipment must be used.
(4) Compressed air may be used in specially designated areas for blowing dusts or other substances from clothing being worn by workers, provided that
(a) the substances have an exposure limit greater than 1.0 mg/m3, as established by section 5.48,
(b) appropriate respiratory and eye protection is worn, and
(c) the compressed air supply pressure is limited to a pressure of 70 kPa gauge (10 psig), or safety nozzles which have the same pressure limiting effect are used.
[am. B.C. Reg. 315/2003, App. A, s. 2.]
Storing and Handling Materials
4.43 (1) Material and equipment must be placed, stacked or stored in a stable and secure manner.
(2) Stacked material or containers must be stabilized as necessary by interlocking, strapping or other effective means of restraint to protect the safety of workers.
4.44 A worker must not enter or remain in any place where there is a danger of entrapment or engulfment in loose materials or from other circumstances unless
(a) safe access and a safe work area is provided by catwalks, walkways, barriers or other means, or
(b) measures are taken, where practicable, to control the risk of entrapment or engulfment and, if the risk is not eliminated, the worker uses a lifeline and harness of a type that will keep the worker in a position so as to be able to be rescued and is continuously tended by a standby person who is equipped for and capable of effecting immediate rescue.
4.45 An area in which material may be dropped, dumped or spilled must be guarded to prevent inadvertent entry by workers, or protected by adequate covers and guarding.
The purpose of sections 4.46 to 4.53 is to eliminate or, if that is not practicable, minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injury to workers.
4.46 In sections 4.47 to 4.53 (the Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements), "musculoskeletal injury" or "MSI" means an injury or disorder of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels or related soft tissue including a sprain, strain and inflammation, that may be caused or aggravated by work.
4.47 The employer must identify factors in the workplace that may expose workers to a risk of musculoskeletal injury (MSI).
4.48 When factors that may expose workers to a risk of MSI have been identified, the employer must ensure that the risk to workers is assessed.
4.49 The following factors must be considered, where applicable, in the identification and assessment of the risk of MSI:
(a) the physical demands of work activities, including
(i) force required,
(ii) repetition,
(iii) duration,
(iv) work postures, and
(v) local contact stresses;
(b) aspects of the layout and condition of the workplace or workstation, including
(i) working reaches,
(ii) working heights,
(iii) seating, and
(iv) floor surfaces;
(c) the characteristics of objects handled, including
(i) size and shape,
(ii) load condition and weight distribution, and
(iii) container, tool and equipment handles;
(d) the environmental conditions, including cold temperature;
(e) the following characteristics of the organization of work:
(i) work-recovery cycles;
(ii) task variability;
(iii) work rate.
4.50 (1) The employer must eliminate or, if that is not practicable, minimize the risk of MSI to workers.
(2) Personal protective equipment may only be used as a substitute for engineering or administrative controls if it is used in circumstances in which those controls are not practicable.
(3) The employer must, without delay, implement interim control measures when the introduction of permanent control measures will be delayed.
4.51 (1) The employer must ensure that a worker who may be exposed to a risk of MSI is educated in risk identification related to the work, including the recognition of early signs and symptoms of MSIs and their potential health effects.
(2) The employer must ensure that a worker to be assigned to work which requires specific measures to control the risk of MSI is trained in the use of those measures, including, where applicable, work procedures, mechanical aids and personal protective equipment.
4.52 (1) The employer must monitor the effectiveness of the measures taken to comply with the Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements and ensure they are reviewed at least annually.
(2) When the monitoring required by subsection (1) identifies deficiencies, they must be corrected without undue delay.
4.53 (1) The employer must consult with the joint committee or the worker health and safety representative, as applicable, with respect to the following when they are required by the Ergonomics (MSI) Requirements:
(a) risk identification, assessment and control;
(b) the content and provision of worker education and training;
(c) the evaluation of the compliance measures taken.
(2) The employer must, when performing a risk assessment, consult with
(a) workers with signs or symptoms of MSI, and
(b) a representative sample of the workers who are required to carry out the work being assessed.
[am. B.C. Reg. 185/99, s. 23.]
Work Area Guards and Handrails
4.54 In sections 4.54 to 4.63:
"guard" means a protective barrier around an opening in a floor or along the open sides of stairs or a ramp, landing, balcony, mezzanine, raised walkway or any other area to prevent a fall to a lower level, or inadvertent entry into a dangerous area;
"guardrail" means a guard consisting of a top rail 102 cm to 112 cm (40 in to 44 in) above the work surface, and an intermediate rail located approximately midway between the underside of the top rail and the top of the toeboard, if one is provided, or the work surface if no toeboard is provided.
4.55 An area accessible to workers must have guards or guardrails installed in any of the following circumstances:
(a) if a raised floor, open-sided floor, mezzanine, gallery, balcony, work platform, ramp, walkway, or runway is 122 cm (4 ft) or more above the adjacent floor or grade level;
(b) on both sides of any walkway over or adjacent to any substance which is a hazard if a worker fell in, or on it, or which is over machinery or work areas;
(c) around the perimeter of any open container or containment area such as an open vat, bin, tank or pit which is 122 cm (4 ft) or more in depth and which has sides that do not extend at least as high as required for a guardrail above the adjacent grade or work surface;
(d) if a stairway ends in direct proximity to dangerous traffic or other hazard to prevent inadvertent entry into the dangerous area.
4.56 Section 4.55 does not apply
(a) to the front edge of a loading dock or to the viewing edge of a performance stage, and to parts of the scenic units which will be visible to the audience during a rehearsal or performance, provided effective measures are taken to ensure that workers are protected from injury, or
(b) during the construction, demolition, renovation or modification of a work area provided that
(i) access is restricted only to the workers involved in the activity, and
(ii) the requirements of Part 11 (Fall Protection) are followed.
4.57 If a worker is employed on stilts or work platforms, or is otherwise elevated above the floor, and the effective height of guardrails, walls, or barricades is thus reduced to less than the height specified in section 4.54, additional guardrails must be installed or a personal fall protection system must be used in accordance with the relevant requirements contained in Part 11 (Fall Protection).
4.58 (1) Guards in a building must be appropriate for the use and occupancy of the area.
(2) Guards in areas not part of a building must meet the applicable criteria of subsections (3) to (5), or other standard acceptable to the Board.
(3) Unless otherwise permitted by subsection (4), guardrails must be installed to withstand a load applied horizontally and normal to the span of the rail, of 550 N (125 lbs) applied at any point along the rail, and a vertical, downward load of 1.5 kN per m (100 lbs per ft) along the top rail, but the horizontal and vertical loads need not be considered to act simultaneously.
(4) Guardrails temporarily installed during the construction, demolition or renovation of a work area must
(a) be able to withstand a load of 550 N (125 lbs) applied perpendicular to the span in a horizontal or vertically downward direction at any point on the top rail, or be built to the criteria of subsection (5), and
(b) not be made of fibre or wire rope without the prior approval of the Board.
(5) Unless designed by a professional engineer, temporary wooden guardrails on floors and platforms must meet the following criteria:
(a) posts must be spaced not more than 2.4 m (8 ft) apart, except a scaffold may have posts spaced not more than 3 m (10 ft) apart;
(b) wooden top rails must be at least 38 mm x 89 mm (2 in x 4 in nominal) lumber for a span of up to 2.4 m between supports, and at least 38 mm x 140 mm (2 in x 6 in nominal) lumber for a span of 2.4 m to 3 m between supports;
(c) wooden midrails must be 19 mm x 140 mm (1 in x 6 in nominal) or 38 mm x 89 mm (2 in x 4 in nominal) lumber;
(d) wooden rails must be secured to the tops or inner sides of their vertical supports;
(e) wooden guardrail posts must be at least 38 mm x 89 mm (2 in x 4 in nominal) lumber, and must be installed with the narrow dimension facing the open edge;
(f) plastic or wire mesh fencing of adequate strength may be used in place of the midrail, but posts and top rails must comply with the requirements of this section and such fencing must be secured in place.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. E, s. 2.]
4.58.1 (1) If a guardrail must be removed to accommodate work,
(a) only that portion of the guardrail necessary to allow the work to be done may be removed, and
(b) workers exposed to a fall hazard must be protected by another fall protection system when the guardrail is absent.
(2) The guardrail must be replaced
(a) when the unguarded area is left unattended, and
(b) after the work is completed if the circumstances still require guardrails.
[en. B.C. Reg. 420/2004, s. 1.]
4.59 (1) A pit or other opening in a floor, walkway, roof or other area accessible to workers, which is a danger to workers, must be securely covered with a cover of adequate size and strength or guarded by fixed or movable guardrails, which must be identified as such and kept in place except when necessarily removed to work in the opening or pit.
(2) If compliance with subsection (1) is not practicable for a vehicle service pit, the area around the perimeter of the pit must be marked in a high visibility colour extending back at least 1 m (3.3 ft) from the edge of the pit, and the marking coating or material must provide a skid resistant surface.
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a trap door in a performance stage or scenic unit that will be visible to the audience during a rehearsal or performance, provided that effective measures are taken to protect performers and other workers from injury.
(4) If a worker must enter an area not normally accessible and that has openings that are a danger, such openings must be guarded or personal fall protection must be used while the worker is in the area.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. D, s. 3.]
4.60 (1) Floor openings, elevated walkways and platforms must have toeboards if there is a danger from tools, materials, equipment and debris falling off the edge of the work surface, or there is a danger of slipping off the work surface due to the environment or work practices being used.
(2) The top of a toeboard must be at least 10 cm (4 in) above the floor or platform, and the space between the bottom of the toeboard and the floor or platform must not exceed 13 mm (1/2 in).
(3) If material is stacked or stored on a platform or walkway, or near a floor opening, toeboards must be increased in height or solid or mesh panels of appropriate height must be installed to prevent the material from falling.
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a walkway or a platform that is on a performance stage or scenic unit and will be visible to the audience during a rehearsal or performance, provided that effective measures are taken to protect performers and other workers from injury.
4.61 Elevated walkways must be at least 50 cm (20 in) wide, and safe access to walkways must be provided by means of stairs, ramps or fixed ladders.
4.62 (1) Stairs with more than 4 risers must have continuous handrails on
(a) any open side of the stairway,
(b) one side of enclosed stairways 112 cm (44 in) or less in width, and
(c) both sides of enclosed stairways over 112 cm (44 in) wide.
(2) The top of a handrail must be 76 cm to 92 cm (30 in to 36 in) above the stair tread, measured vertically from the nose of the tread, and the height must not vary on any flight or succession of flights of stairs.
(3) A handrail on an open side of a stairway must have a midrail located approximately midway between the top of the handrail and the nose of the stair tread.
(4) A handrail must be able to withstand a load of 1.3 kN (300 lbs) applied vertically or horizontally at any point along the handrail.
4.63 A curb must be installed, where practicable, whenever there is a danger of a vehicle or other equipment running off the edge of an elevated area.
4.64 In sections 4.64 to 4.69:
"brightness ratio" means for any 2 surfaces in the field of vision, the ratio of the luminance of one surface to the luminance of the other surface, expressed as a percentage;
"contrast" means the ratio of the luminance or light coming from an object and the luminance of its immediate background;
"general lighting" means an array of light fixtures that provides a fairly uniform illumination level for a large area, sometimes over the whole workplace, exclusive of any provision for special local lighting;
"glare" means brightness within the field of vision that causes eye fatigue or loss in visual performance;
"illumination level" means the amount of light falling on a surface;
"local lighting" means a light fixture or array of fixtures that provides illumination over a small area such as a service counter in a warehouse, without providing any significant general lighting in the surrounding area;
"luminance" means the amount of light reflected by a surface at a given angle;
"reflectance" means the ratio of the light reflected from a surface to that falling on the surface, expressed as a percentage.
4.65 (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), and in section 4.69, an employer must provide and maintain minimum illumination levels to ensure safe working conditions, safe passage and the identification of hazards or obstructions as follows:
(a) 22 lux (2 fc) in areas of low activity, such as parking lots, building exteriors and basement areas housing machinery, but which are not regular task areas;
(b) 54 lux (5 fc) in areas of high activity, such as frequently used walkways and building access and egress points.
(2) For tasks which require the ability to distinguish detail an employer must provide and maintain illumination as required by Table 4-1.
(3) For work processes which require lower illumination levels than those specified in subsections (1) and (2), such as photographic darkrooms, fish hatching rooms and poultry catching operations, the employer may use other effective means to ensure the safety of workers.
Table 4-1: Illumination levels for task categories
| Task category | Examples1 | Minimum2 illumination level in lux |
| 1. Simple orientation for short temporary visits | Inactive storage, waiting areas, VDT screens, log loading and unloading. | 50 |
| 2. Working spaces where visual tasks are only occasionally performed | Stairways, freight elevators, truck loading, active bulk storage. | 100 |
| 3. Visual tasks of high contrast or large size | Bakery mixing rooms, hospital central (clean) linen rooms, locker rooms, reading good quality text, casual reading, simple assembly, hand or simple spray painting, rough lumber grading, rough woodworking and benchwork. | 200 |
| 4. Visual tasks of medium contrast or small size | Hair styling shops, kitchens, vehicle repair garages, sawmill filing room (work areas), reading poor quality text, prolonged or critical reading, medium bench or machine work, mail sorting, fine hand painting and finishing, fine woodworking and finishing. | 500 |
| 5. Visual tasks of low contrast or very small size | Difficult assembly tasks, difficult inspections, weaving, clothing alteration, finished lumber grading. | 1 000 |
| 6. Visual tasks of low contrast and very small size over a prolonged period | Very difficult assembly tasks, sewing, fine bench or machine work, extra-fine hand painting and finishing. | 2 000 |
| 7. Very prolonged and exacting visual tasks | Exacting assembly or inspection, extra fine bench or machine work, precision manual arc-welding. | 5 000 |
| 8. Very special visual tasks of extremely low contrast and small size | Very detailed cloth product inspection and examination. | 10 000 |
| Note 1: Further guidance in determining task categories that apply to specific work areas and activities is contained in the IES Handbook. This publication also provides information on acceptable measures to control brightness, reflectance and glare. | ||
| Note 2: The lux is the metric unit of light measurement, and replaces the footcandle (fc), which was the traditional imperial unit of measurement. One lux equals about one tenth of a footcandle. For example, the minimum illumination in footcandles for task category number 4, which is common in the office environment, is about 50 footcandles. | ||
4.66 The lighting required by section 4.65 must be provided by general or local lighting, or an effective combination of the two.
4.67 As far as practicable, the workplace must be designed and maintained in such a manner to adequately control
(a) brightness ratios,
(b) reflectance values, and
(c) glare.
4.68 (1) The measurement of illumination must be done in accordance with the procedures in the Lighting Handbook - Reference and Application, 8th Edition, 1993 (IES Handbook) published by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
(2) A photometer used to measure illumination levels must be colour and cosine corrected.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 5.]
4.69 (1) If failure of a lighting system would create conditions dangerous to the health and safety of workers, an emergency lighting system must be provided for the workplace and the exit routes.
(2) An emergency lighting system must provide dependable illumination while the primary lighting system is off to enable all emergency measures to be carried out, including
(a) emergency shutdown procedures, and
(b) evacuation of workers from the premises.
(3) An emergency lighting system in a fixed facility must meet the requirements of section 3.2.7 (Lighting and Emergency Power Systems) of the BC Building Code with regard to
(a) illumination level,
(b) use of recessed fixtures,
(c) duration of emergency lighting,
(d) the use of self-contained emergency lighting units, and
(e) emergency electrical power supply.
(4) The emergency lighting system must be inspected, tested and maintained to meet the requirements of section 6.8 (Emergency Power Systems and Unit Equipment for Emergency Lighting) of the BC Fire Code.
4.70 Sections 4.71 to 4.80 apply to indoor or enclosed areas when occupied by workers, except
(a) a controlled atmosphere enclosure,
(b) a confined space, and
(c) when clearly impracticable, such as during some construction or renovation projects.
4.71 An employer or the employer's agent must submit to the Board drawings and specifications for an existing or proposed ventilation system when requested by the Board.
4.72 (1) An employer must ensure that a ventilation system for the supply and distribution of air and removal of indoor air contaminants is designed, constructed and operated in accordance with
(a) established engineering principles, and
(b) ASHRAE Standard 62-1989, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.
(2) An adequate supply of outdoor air must be provided to the workplace in accordance with Table 2 of ASHRAE Standard 62-1989.
(3) For a building ventilation system installed prior to 1989, an adequate supply of outdoor air must be provided in accordance with the ASHRAE standard in place at the time the ventilation system was designed.
[am. B.C. Reg. 312/2003, App. A, s. 5.]
4.73 The owner of a building must permit an employer to install a ventilation system when required by this Part, provided that all such work is subject to the approval of the owner, acting reasonably.
4.75 The ventilation system must be balanced to
(a) ensure that each space within the building receives an adequate allotment of outdoor air, and
(b) accommodate the actual or the normally anticipated occupancy of each space.
4.76 (1) A ventilation system must not be obstructed by material or equipment placed in front of the ventilation air intakes or discharge points.
(2) Outdoor air intakes must be located so that outdoor air entering the ventilation system does not contain any contaminant in a concentration greater than normal outdoor ambient air in that locality.
4.77 A ventilation system that discharges air from the work area must be designed to minimize the likelihood of exposing any worker at a workplace, including an adjacent workplace
(a) to an air contaminant in a concentration which exceeds either 10% of its applicable exposure limit in Part 5 (Chemical and Biological Substances), or an acceptable ambient air quality standard established by an authority having jurisdiction over environmental air standards, whichever is greater, and
(b) where practicable, to an objectionable odour.
4.78 (1) To maintain acceptable air quality, the employer or, if the employer is not responsible for maintenance of the ventilation system, the owner of the ventilation system, must establish an effective preventive maintenance program for the ventilation system.
(2) Preventive maintenance must include
(a) regular inspections
(i) of all critical components of the ventilation system, such as dampers, fans, belts, baffles, ductwork, diffusers and control systems, and
(ii) for conditions which would promote the growth of micro-organisms, such as water leaks or stagnant water pools,
(b) correction of any deficiencies found during the inspections carried out under paragraph (a),
(c) repair or replacement of malfunctioning and consumable components, such as filters and belts, and the cleaning of air distribution systems, ducts and dampers when necessary to correct an indoor air quality deficiency,
(d) adequate treatment of open water systems associated with ventilation equipment such as cooling towers and humidifiers, to control biological growth, and
(e) maintenance of combustion sources, such as furnaces, space heaters and water heaters to assure proper burning and exhausting of waste gases so that recirculation of gases to the workplace will not occur.
[am. B.C. Reg. 185/99, s. 24.]
4.79 (1) The employer must ensure that the indoor air quality is investigated when
(a) complaints are reported,
(b) occupancy in the space changes substantially, or
(c) renovations involving significant changes to the ventilation system occur.
(2) An air quality investigation must include
(a) assessment of the ventilation rate, unless the indoor carbon dioxide level is less than 650 ppm above ambient outdoor levels,
(b) inspection of the ventilation system as required in section 4.78 (2),
(c) sampling for airborne contaminants suspected to be present in concentrations associated with the reported complaints, and
(d) a record of the complaint, the findings of the investigation, and any actions taken.
4.80 The employer must ensure that temperature and humidity levels within the indoor work environment are maintained within acceptable comfort ranges, as far as is practicable.
4.81 The employer must control the exposure of workers at any workplace to environmental tobacco smoke by
(a) prohibiting smoking in the workplace, or
(b) restricting smoking to designated smoking areas or by other equally effective means.
4.82 (1) A designated smoking area provided under section 4.81 (b) must be clearly identified to the workforce by signs or other effective means and be a
(a) safe outdoor location, or
(b) room structurally separated from other work or break areas.
(2) If necessary to prevent tobacco smoke from entering a workplace, the designated smoking room must be provided with a separate, non-recirculating exhaust ventilation system which
(a) meets the requirements for a smoking lounge specified in ASHRAE Standard 62-1989, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality,
(b) is designed in accordance with expected occupancy rates,
(c) maintains adequate air flows from non-smoking to smoking areas, and
(d) discharges directly to the outdoors.
(3) An employer must ensure that a worker does not work in an indoor area where smoking is permitted except if
(a) the worker must enter the indoor area to respond to an emergency endangering life, health or property,
(b) the worker must enter the indoor area to investigate for illegal activity,
(c) the workplace is a public entertainment facility, as defined in section 4.83 (1), that conforms to the requirements of section 4.83 and the entry conforms with section 4.83 (8), or
(d) the tobacco smoke has been effectively removed.
[am. B.C. Reg. 3/2002, s. 1; 312/2003, App. A, s. 4.]
4.83 (1) In this section:
"public entertainment facility" includes a bar, bingo hall, bowling alley, cocktail lounge, restaurant, gambling casino, nightclub or pub;
"CFM/person" means cubic feet per minute per person.
(2) In a public entertainment facility, areas that are used by the public are exempt from the requirements of section 4.81 if the employer provides a separate place for smoking in accordance with the requirements of this section.
(3) A separate place for smoking provided under subsection (2) must
(a) for a public entertainment facility other than a bingo hall, not have a floor space that exceeds 45% of the total floor area that is used by the public,
(b) for a bingo hall, not have a floor space that exceeds 65% of the total floor area that is used by the public,
(c) for a public entertainment facility licensed for the service of liquor,
(i) not have a floor space that exceeds 45% of the total floor area licensed for the service of liquor,
(ii) not have more than 2 indoor areas in the one facility, and
(iii) have each indoor area not exceed 80 square metres in size,
(d) be clearly identified by signs or other effective means, and
(e) be a safe outdoor location or a designated room structurally separated from other areas.
(4) A designated room under subsection (3) must be ventilated by
(a) a non-recirculating exhaust ventilation system,
(b) an air cleaning system, or
(c) a combination of a non-recirculating exhaust ventilation system and an air cleaning system
that meets the following requirements:
(d) the flow of air is from non-smoking areas to the designated room;
(e) the air flows in the designated room at a minimum ventilation rate of 35 CFM/person;
(f) the air only discharges in a manner that does not recirculate or transfer it from a designated room to non-smoking areas.
(5) If an air cleaning system is used for the purposes of this section, the employer must ensure that the air cleaning system, at a minimum, meets a standard of 95% operating efficiency at 0.3 micrometre particle size.
(6) For the purposes of this section, a non-recirculating exhaust ventilation system or an air cleaning system must have an inspection and maintenance record that complies with the requirements of this Regulation.
(7) A workstation must not be located in a designated room to which this section applies.
(8) For the purposes of this section, no worker must be required to enter a designated room unless section 4.82 (3) (a) or (b) applies or
(a) the entries are on an intermittent basis to perform the workers functions,
(b) for the workers work period in a 24 hour day, the total of all times that worker spends in the designated room to perform the workers functions do not exceed 20% of that work period, and
(c) the employer allows the worker to choose
(i) never, except as required under section 4.82 (3) (a) or (b), to enter the designated room to perform the workers functions, or
(ii) for the workers work period in a 24 hour day, to enter the designated room to perform the workers functions for a total of all times spent there that is less than 20% of that work period.
(9) For a public entertainment facility licensed for the service of liquor, the employer must ensure that the indoor area is adequately inspected to monitor compliance with the Liquor Control and Licensing Act and regulations under that Act.
(10) An employer must not take discriminatory action as defined in section 150 of Part 3 of the Workers Compensation Act against a worker who chooses under subsection (8) (c)
(a) never to enter a designated room to perform the workers functions, or
(b) for the workers work period in a 24 hour day, to enter a designated room to perform the workers functions for a total of all times spent there that is less than 20% of that work period.
(11) This section applies despite any other section of this Regulation.
[en. B.C. Reg. 3/2002, s. 2.]
Occupational Environment Requirements
4.84 (1) Workers must not keep or consume food in an area of a workplace where it could become unwholesome because of workplace contaminants.
(2) The employer must ensure that an area suitable for the storage and consumption of food is provided for workers if
(a) there is a risk that food stored or consumed at a workplace may become unwholesome because of workplace contaminants, or
(b) food storage or consumption is restricted or prohibited at the workplace.
[en. B.C. Reg. 421/2004.]
4.85 (1) Except as provided by subsection (2), the employer must ensure that a sufficient number of plumbed washroom facilities are readily available for workers.
(2) If plumbed washroom facilities cannot be provided because of the nature of the workplace or the nature of the work in which the worker is involved, the employer must
(a) provide access to portable washroom and hand-washing facilities, or
(b) make such other reasonable arrangements to accommodate workers as the circumstances allow, if access to portable washroom and hand-washing facilities cannot be provided.
(3) If washroom facilities are provided they must be
(a) maintained in proper working order,
(b) kept clean and sanitary, and
(c) provided with the supplies necessary for their use.
[en. B.C. Reg. 421/2004.]
4.86 If the employer requires the worker to change into protective work clothing at the workplace, the employer must ensure that adequate change areas are provided.
[en. B.C. Reg. 421/2004.]
4.87 The employer must display at every plumbed non-potable water source from which a person might reasonably believe he or she can safely drink, a notice that the water is unfit for human consumption.
[en. B.C. Reg. 421/2004.]
Contents | Parts 1-3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Parts 10-11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Parts 17-18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Parts 25-26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Parts 29-33 | Schedules
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