WorkSafeBC makes decision on occupational exposure limits • Alberta firefighters get enhanced WCB cancer coverage
British Columbia
WorkSafeBC makes decision on occupational exposure limits
WorkSafeBC’s board of directors has decided to adopt some of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists’ recommended threshold limit values (TLVs) effective June 1. The board adopted new occupational exposure limits (OELs) for cotton dust, methyl isobutyl ketone and thallium and soluble compounds as TI. The board decided to maintain the OELs for nine other substances including dieldrin, thionyl chloride and hydrogen sulfide.
Alberta
Alberta firefighters get enhanced WCB cancer coverage
Four cancers have been added to the presumptive coverage list for Alberta firefighters. Breast, prostate, skin and multiple myeloma are the cancers added to the list, bringing the total number of cancers covered to 14. If a firefighter has any of the 14 cancers on the list and meets exposure criteria, then the cancer is presumed to be work related.
Manitoba
Manitoba to improve safety for health care workers
Manitoba has announced stronger regulations, security equipment and public information to protect front-line health care workers. Current occupational health and safety regulations apply broadly to a variety of workplaces — there are no health care specific regulations. Amendments will require health care facilities to work with employees to develop a violence prevention policy and strategy. The strategy should ensure security assistance is available to staff if they need it, said Jennifer Howard, labour and immigration minister. Final recommendations are expected by the end of June and amendments will be in place by the end of August, the province reports. Changes to legislation will also be considered during the consultation process, with the goal of introducing legislation changes in the next session, said Howard.
Ontario
Ontario passes mandatory retirement for firefighters
Firefighters in Ontario will hang up their helmets for good at age 60 under a new law. The province passed changes to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act on May 31 that standardize the retirement age for salaried firefighters involved in frontline firefighting duties. The average retirement age for a firefighter in Ontario is 57, and most municipalities already specify a mandatory retirement age in their collective agreements, the province said. The new law gives municipalities without mandatory retirement at age 60 two years to negotiate new retirement provisions. The legislation also allows firefighters who believe their local association is not representing them fairly to take their complaints to the Ontario Labour Relations Board, which is common practice with most other unions, according to the province.
WorkSafeBC makes decision on occupational exposure limits
WorkSafeBC’s board of directors has decided to adopt some of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists’ recommended threshold limit values (TLVs) effective June 1. The board adopted new occupational exposure limits (OELs) for cotton dust, methyl isobutyl ketone and thallium and soluble compounds as TI. The board decided to maintain the OELs for nine other substances including dieldrin, thionyl chloride and hydrogen sulfide.
Alberta
Alberta firefighters get enhanced WCB cancer coverage
Four cancers have been added to the presumptive coverage list for Alberta firefighters. Breast, prostate, skin and multiple myeloma are the cancers added to the list, bringing the total number of cancers covered to 14. If a firefighter has any of the 14 cancers on the list and meets exposure criteria, then the cancer is presumed to be work related.
Manitoba
Manitoba to improve safety for health care workers
Manitoba has announced stronger regulations, security equipment and public information to protect front-line health care workers. Current occupational health and safety regulations apply broadly to a variety of workplaces — there are no health care specific regulations. Amendments will require health care facilities to work with employees to develop a violence prevention policy and strategy. The strategy should ensure security assistance is available to staff if they need it, said Jennifer Howard, labour and immigration minister. Final recommendations are expected by the end of June and amendments will be in place by the end of August, the province reports. Changes to legislation will also be considered during the consultation process, with the goal of introducing legislation changes in the next session, said Howard.
Ontario
Ontario passes mandatory retirement for firefighters
Firefighters in Ontario will hang up their helmets for good at age 60 under a new law. The province passed changes to the Fire Protection and Prevention Act on May 31 that standardize the retirement age for salaried firefighters involved in frontline firefighting duties. The average retirement age for a firefighter in Ontario is 57, and most municipalities already specify a mandatory retirement age in their collective agreements, the province said. The new law gives municipalities without mandatory retirement at age 60 two years to negotiate new retirement provisions. The legislation also allows firefighters who believe their local association is not representing them fairly to take their complaints to the Ontario Labour Relations Board, which is common practice with most other unions, according to the province.
