WorkSafeBC starts policy consultation on permanent disability awards for tinnitus • WorkSafeBC consults on OHS injunctions policy • Alberta young worker safety blitz yields 181 orders • Manitoba releases mental health strategic plan • Workers’ compensation rates set to rise in Ontario
British Columbia
WorkSafeBC starts policy consultation on permanent disability awards for tinnitus
WorkSafeBC has released a discussion paper about whether to amend or expand its policy on tinnitus. Tinnitus is a perceived noise in the ears, such as ringing, blowing, roaring or buzzing. The current policy states a worker must have a certain degree of permanent noise-induced hearing loss before he can be considered for a permanent disability award for tinnitus, according to the discussion paper. WorkSafeBC is looking at whether to amend policy to clarify and expand the circumstances in which permanent disability awards for tinnitus may be granted. Feedback is being accepted until Oct. 7, 2011. The discussion paper can be found on WorkSafeBC’s website.
WorkSafeBC consults on OHS injunctions policy
WorkSafeBC is looking for feedback on a discussion paper and new proposed policy on OHS injunctions. OHS injunctions, under the Workers Compensation Act, “are an effective tool to achieve compliance with health and safety requirements when other measures are unsuccessful,” according to the discussion paper. Currently, WorkSafeBC has no policy regarding these injunctions. The deadline for submissions is Sept. 16. The policy is available online at www.worksafebc.com/regulation_
and_policy/policy_consultation/assets/pdf/OHSInjunctions.pdf.
Alberta
Alberta young worker safety blitz yields 181 orders
A month-long inspection campaign focused on young workers in Alberta elicited 181 orders, but no stop-work or stop-use orders. The campaign, which ran from May 11 to June 10, focused on workers age 15 to 24. Of the 181 orders issued, three-quarters were related to inadequate first aid training, emergency preparedness, dealing with harmful substances and hazardous material or a lack of proper hazard assessments, according to the province. Officers conducted 118 inspections and 90 follow-up inspections of 107 worksites in Alberta. No violations were observed at 36 initial inspections, or 31 per cent.
Manitoba
Manitoba releases mental health strategic plan
Manitoba has released a new provincial mental health strategic plan designed to influence policy and practices that support people in employment. A provincial workforce strategy will also assess and guide recruitment, training and retention of the mental health services workforce. The plan includes a combination of actions to promote good mental health and strengthen the systems that provide support and services to those with mental health problems, such as identifying ways to strengthen service navigation across the mental health system and developing a provincial action plan for mental health promotion and mental illness prevention. The province will also invest more than $400,000 to implement initiatives that include the establishment of a trauma resource centre.
