FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED ON A JHSC COMMITTEE? DO THEY ALL NEED TO BE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED?

​FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, a minimum of 4 committee members must be present at each monthly meeting. FOR MEDIUM TO LARGE SIZE BUSINESSES, a minimum of 6 to 8 committee members my be required on your committee. Each JHSC committee member must be trained and certified. 50% can me management representatives and the other 50% can be employee representatives. The employee representatives must be elected by the other workers. You can have more employee reps than management reps but you cannot have more management reps than employee reps on your committee (i.e. you can have 1 manager and 3 employees).

It is also ideal to train a few alternates so they can attend the meeting if any of the original members cannot attend, as a minimum of 4 members must be present at every monthly meeting (i.e. you can have 2 managers and 4 employees). Click HERE to learn more on worksafebc regulations for JHSC's.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR GENERAL INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION FOCUS SAFETY MANUAL TEMPLATEs?

Our General Industry focus OHS safety manual template is ideal for any type of industry (except for construction) and for businesses looking for a basic but solid safety program foundation. If you are in the construction industry then you will want to purchase our Construction focus OHS  Manual Template. Our templates have been designed for small to mid-size businesses. Remember, if WorkSafeBC inspects your worksite, you want to be prepared and it is better to have something in place, rather than nothing. Having nothing in place will most likely result in your business receiving fines, penalties, citations or stop work orders if WorkSafeBC officers inspect your workplace. 
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Is it more cost effective for me to purchase a safety program template rather than a custom safety program?
Yes, our safety program templates are priced much lower than our custom programs but do differ in content. Our safety manual templates are a basic foundation which include the minimum WorkSafeBC requirements for all businesses in BC. However, these templates have been developed and made cost effective for small businesses and as a basic foundation for your business to start from. Eventually you will have to build on the templates to make the manual more specific to your businesses activities. Our custom program pricing ranges from $2000.00 to $3500.00 depending upon your industry and the size of your business. Our custom programs are much more elaborate in content and are developed specific to your company's activities. Learn more about our custom safety programs HERE.

What's included with my custom safety program if I decide to go this route?
As the custom safety program is much more elaborate in content, you will receive the following elements:

• OHS Policies (up to 40 different elements as per worksafebc and your industry)
• Safe Work Procedures (up to 40 procedures specific to your industry)
• New and Young Employee Safety Orientation Package
• Sub-contractor Safety Orientation Package
• COVID-19 Safety Plan
• Forms Package

During the development of your custom program we will contact you with a series of basic questions we will need answers to in order to learn more about your business. We will then have a draft copy of your program ready for you within 2 weeks for your review. We allow 30 days for you to review your program in detail and then let us know if you require any changes/edits/additions. We will conduct up to three major edits to your program from our end within this time period. Your absolute satisfaction is our main goal.

WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH THE ONLINE PURCHASE OF MY SAFETY PROGRAM TEMPLATE?

Each safety program template we offer has been developed in accordance with the WorkSafeBC provincial health and safety regulations across BC. To purchase anyone of our template click on the BUY NOW button. Upon successful purchase, you will automatically receive your safety program template in MS WORD .doc format by email to your provided email address; which means you can make edits, changes or additions to your program at anytime. You will receive customization instructions in PDF format which will clearly outline how to insert your company logo to each page, how to change your title page picture and how to insert your company name into the entire document in just a few clicks of a button (YOU DO NOT NEED TO MANUALLY INSERT YOUR COMPANY NAME PAGE BY PAGE) - our instructions will outline how to do this for the entire document; very quickly. Our written occupational health and safety manuals have been developed by certified and professional health and safety consultants with a combined experience in occupational health and safety of over 50 years.  Our health and safety programs, manuals, policies and procedures are recognized across Canada by federal, provincial, municipal, and private organizations and individuals.

Privacy and Online Purchase Security
Your personal and credit card information is very safe at ggsafetyconsulting.com and we take site and data security as a serious issue. The ggsafetyconsulting.com website uses a SSL secure connection and 128-bit encryption to ensure that your data is secure. With regards to the safety and privacy of your credit card, we've implemented a state-of-the-art e-commerce solution for ggsafetyconsulting.com. Our site offers strong security by encrypting your credit card information in such a way that it is not accessible by employees within GG Health and Safety Consulting, or by anyone who would try to compromise the security of ggsafetyconsulting.com. As a result, our site meets the rigorous security standards set by many privacy watchdog groups and standards set by the Internet community in general. When you entered your credit card in our store, only the last four digits of your card are visible on the site. Even you (or anyone who logs in as you) cannot access the details of your credit card from our store. If you still do not feel comfortable purchasing online - no problem - just give us a call or email us and one of our customer service representatives can process your payment over the phone.We accept credit card payment over our secure website or over the phone. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover and JCB. 

online safety training courses

Is it safe for customers to purchase your online safety courses directly from your website?

We take the utmost precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via our website, your information is protected both online and offline. Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for "https" at the beginning of the address of the Web page. While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.

​We use Square Canada as a form of on-line payment. To buy from us, you must provide contact information (like name and shipping address) and financial information (like credit card number, expiration date). This information is used for billing purposes and to fill your orders. If we have trouble processing an order, we'll use this information to contact you. This information is used to process your orders in a secure manner, to keep you updated on your orders and to personalize your shopping experience.
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Can I pay for the online safety course(s) over the phone?

Yes. Even though our online purchasing system is a very secure platform, you do have the option of paying for your course over the phone. Please email us and one of our consultants will contact you on the same day.

What forms of payment do you accept?

If you purchase your course(s) through our website purchasing platform, we can only accept credit card payment. We accept the following credit cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and JCB. We also accept credit card payments over the phone.

For large groups of 10 or more we can send your business an physical invoice copy which can be paid by credit card over the phone or by a postal mailed business cheque within 15 days from the date of the invoice.

I don't have time to finish my course today, can I leave and come back to complete my course?

Yes, can you leave your course at anytime without worrying about losing your progress. The study material provided to you is in PDF digital format. We recommend you save the downloads to your PC at the time of purchase.

Upon completion of the course, can the course certificates be printed?

Yes, the certificates are created as PDF’s and can be saved or printed when the online course is completed. Once we receive your completed exam and you pass successfully, we will email you your signed certificate of completion.

What kind of computer do I need to take your online courses?

To take our courses, we recommend using the latest version of your favorite browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome) on your PC or Mac computer. You will also need access to a printer, as your certificate can be printed upon successful course completion, and there are resource documents you may wish to print before you begin your course.

Do I have to take an exam at the end of the online course?

Yes.  All of our courses are competency-centered, meaning that learners must complete an assessment(s) of some type (i.e. Exam) in order to demonstrate an adequate level of understanding of the topics presented throughout the course.  This provides a tremendous level of due diligence which is required to ensure that reasonable precautions are taken for the safety and health of the learner. After your online purchase you will receive a PDF format of the exam which will be emailed to you. You are to hand write the exam and email the exam back to us for marking (email address is provided on the exam).

What if I fail or don't do well on the exam?

A mark of 80% must be achieved in order to receive a certificate of completion. Participants are able to repeat the course three times in efforts to achieve the pass mark. We will let you know during the exam marking process if you need to retake the exam.

Do you provide group discounts for businesses?

Yes, group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Please email us prior to your purchase to receive your discounted price.

Do the online courses have an expiry date?

Yes, all of our online courses are valid for 2 years. You will need to retake the course after a 2 year period.

What is your refund policy?

As all of our products are digital download software, delivered instantly once payment is received, it is impossible for you to return a product to us for a refund. If during your online or over the phone purchase order, you do not receive your digital products on time by email, we will gladly refund your purchase amount in full.

Why does my business need a health and safety program?

According to the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation in BC, it’s the employer’s responsibility to implement an occupational health and safety (OHS) program to prevent employee workplace injury and disease. All businesses in BC and every other province in Canada are required by law to have an occupational health and saftey program developed and implemented for each work site. OHS safety programs in British Columbia must meet certain safety regulations and standards. This ensures that the employer is exercising due diligence in taking steps to meet WorkSafeBC regulations and standards.

All large employers in BC must have a 'formal' health and safety program manual developed and implemented if you have either a workforce of 20 or more workers and at least one workplace where there is a moderate or high risk of injury and when you have a workforce of 50 or more workers. Small businesses or employers with fewer than 20 workers need a written health and safety program too. These OHS program manuals can be simpler. They are referred to as "informal" health and safety programs. Failure to do so could result in your company receiving fines, penalties, sanctions and/or stop worker orders by local government safety officers. Health and safety program manuals are aimed at ensuring workers are protected, risks are minimized, and a healthy and safe workplace is maintained. All employers must establish some form of health and safety program at the workplace. The type of program you need depends on the number of workers you have and the risks associated with their work. Though every workplace and every occupational health and safety (OHS) program are different, there are some key elements common to all programs.

WHAT MAKES GG HEALTH & SAFETY CONSULTING THE LEADING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSULTING FIRM IN vancouver bc BRITISH COLUMBIA?

Our four pillars of success are QUALITY, HONESTY, SATISFACTION and AFFORDABILITY. These four pillars are the cornerstones of GG Health and Safety Consulting - our guiding principals that sit at the heart of our business. 

We provide our customers with confidential, reliable and cost-efficient health and safety consulting services to meet their current and future needs. Further, we recognize and embrace our responsibility to serve our clients promptly and courteously, and to provide them with a broad range of OHS services. This commitment reinforces our strong, fundamental conviction that places the highest importance on our obligations to serving our clients. We are a professional and productivity focused health and safety consulting organization.  We believe that safety comes first in the mind but in practicality a true health and safety professional understands, through experience, that safety needs to be incorporated into productivity. We can help your organization achieve great safety success without compromising your production.

GG Health & Safety Consulting has been professionally providing its consulting services to clients in numerous different industries/sectors all over Vancouver BC, Lower Mainland BC and Vancouver Island BC for over 15 years. We are not just some ordinary safety consulting firm - our health and safety consultants have held professional and direct employment positions in the field of Occupational Health and Safety as officers, coordinators, supervisors and managers. Along with numerous other OHS and Environmental Engineering educational criteria, we hold the highest level of educational credentials offered in British Columbia in the field of Occupational Health and Safety (Dipl. T. Occupational Health & Safety from the world renowned British Columbia Institute of Technology). 

I HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WHO NEED SAFETY TRAINING. HOW DO I DECIDE WHETHER TO HAVE CLASSROOM TRAINING OR ON-LINE TRAINING CONDUCTED FOR MY EMPLOYEES?

Well, it depends. The key to ensuring proper safety training is conducted for your employees is to ensure the training is effective. Ask yourself: Are my employees utilizing the education and skills, they learned in their training course, effectively in the workplace? We think all employers first need to determine the level of risk and hazards involved in their workplace and in their work activities. If the level of risk and hazards is moderate to high then we strongly recommend classroom theory/hands-on based training because this form of training is more site/task specific and in our opinion the most effective form of training. Although most topics can be successfully taught in an online training environment, some topics in our opinion just aren’t conducive to this format.

​For example, anything involving the operation of specialized equipment - mobile equipment or machinery, federal and international regulations for TDG compliance, confined space entry which includes atmospheric testing and rescue procedures and/or fall protection methods (arrest, restraint, control zones, etc.) for employees working at extreme heights would not be a good candidate for online training because of the nature of risks involved, the technical expertise needed behind the training and the science background needed to understand the principals. We always recommend to our clients that for all high risk activity to always focus on classroom hands-on training for their employees. Employers also should determine the competency level of their employees and determine whether their employees will learn better in a more structured classroom setting or whether they will learn better when they are self-taught. Some of the benefits of online training is that it's fast, easy and a little cheaper for the employer. Although classroom setting training costs are a little higher for the employer, some of the benefits of classroom based training is that it is more hands-on, conducted by a qualified instructor, participants are more engaged in learning and guarantees a piece of mind for the employer knowing their employees were trained adequately. 

DOES GG HEALTH & SAFETY PROVIDE ITS SERVICES ON THE LOWER MAINLAND BC (VANCOUVER) AND VANCOUVER ISLAND BC (VICTORIA)?

Yes. For over 15 years GG Health & Safety Consulting Services has been providing quality health and safety consulting services to clients throughout the Vancouver BC, Lower Mainland BC and Victoria BC (Vancouver Island).

Our safety consultants offer services in:
Vancouver BC, North Vancouver BC, West Vancouver BC, Victoria BC (Vancouver Island), Burnaby BC, New Westminster BC, Richmond BC, Surrey BC, Langley BC, Fort Langley BC, Maple Ridge BC, Coquitlam BC, Port Coquitlam BC, Port Moody BC, Pitt Meadows BC, White Rock BC, Mission BC, Chilliwack BC, Abbotsford BC, Sunshine Coast BC, Whistler BC, Bowen Island BC & Squamish BC.

​GG Health and Safety Consulting can develop, audit and upgrade written occupational health and safety programs, plans and manuals for the following provinces
​and OHS safety regulations in Canada:
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA BC   I   EDMONTON, ALBERTA   I   CALGARY, ALBERTA   I   SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN   I   WINNIPEG, MANITOBA   I   TORONTO, ONTARIO   I   OTTAWA, ONTARIO 
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA   I   MONCTON & FREDERICTON, NEW BRUNSWICK   I   MONTREAL, QUEBEC   I     ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR   I   CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

what happens if a worksafebc occupational safety officer visits my work site?

A WorkSafeBC occupational safety or hygiene officer may visit your worksite to conduct an workplace safety inspection. Employers cannot obstruct an officer from carrying out their duties.​ An officer of the board has the right to:

• Enter workplaces unannounced. You cannot deny an officer entry to a workplace
• Tour, observe and inspect the workplace
• Ask that work process commence, or tools be used
• Take photos
• Interview workers
• Inspect records
• Attend relevant employer training
• Remove items from the workplace for further investigation
• Stop unsafe work

The officer will leave (or email) an inspection report, which is an official record of the visit. An inspection report details findings of a worksite visit by a WorkSafeBC officer. It documents any points of discussion and recommendations. It also includes any orders or penalties that result from the visit. Supervisors should review the inspection report as soon as it is issued. Ensure that reported facts are correct. If you believe they are not, bring this to the attention of the WorkSafeBC officer that wrote the report. Talk to the officer about the findings if you have any questions or require clarification. GG Health and Safety Consulting provides employers with professional OHSservices to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation & Workers Compensation Act Legislation in BC British Columbia (WorkSafeBC). We will also work closely with Occupational Safety & Hygiene Officers, to ensure compliance if your company has been issued any inspection reports or written orders.

WHERE CAN I GET HELP TO RESPOND TO WORKSAFEBC ORDERS WRITTEN AGAINST MY COMPANY?

We specialize in providing employers with professional legal services to ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC (WCB) OHSR Regulation & Legislation. If your business has been issued an inspection report or written orders from WorkSafeBC - call us we can help! 

We will carefully review any inspection reports and written orders issued to your business and then assist you with compliance. Once compliance has been achieved, either through safety training or written program development, we can then assist you with developing a notice of compliance which must be sent to WorkSafeBC as proof of compliance. We will also work closely with WorkSafeBC (WCB) Occupational Safety Officers, to ensure compliance if your company has been issued any inspection reports, written orders or have been sanctioned penalties/fines.  

HOW DO I REDUCE MY WORKSAFEBC PREMIUMS?

A commitment to health and safety can create a better work environment, help businesses retain good workers, and lead to greater productivity and better customer service from workers who are trained to do their jobs safely. Fewer workplace accidents can also reduce business costs such as those incurred in training temporary employees, repairing property damage, or paying WorkSafeBC fines and increased WorkSafeBC premiums.

A well run business not only values its customers, but also values its employees. We at GG Health and Safety Consulting educate employers on how a proper implemented safety program not only prevents injuries and disease in the workplace, but also ensures you are in compliance with the OHSR Regulation (WorkSafeBC) and in the long run - can save you money. Yes, a good safety program can save you money! High injury rates at your workplace result in your premium rates to increase rapidly. Thus, forcing you to pay more in premiums on a yearly basis. However, these costs can be reduced considerably by preventing injuries and ensuring a proper health and safety program has been implemented at your workplace. Let Us Lower Your Injury Rates. Let Us Lower Your Costs.

WHAT IS THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATION (OHSR)?

The OHSR in BC contains legal requirements that must be met by all workplaces under the inspectional jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC. Many sections of the OHSR have associated guidelines and policies. This includes most workplaces in BC, except mines and federally chartered workplaces such as banks, interprovincial and international transportation, telephone systems, and radio, television, and cable services.

The purpose of the OHSR is to promote occupational health and safety and to protect workers and other persons present at workplaces from work-related risks to their health, safety, and well-being. Compliance with the requirements provides the basis on which workers and employers, in cooperation, can solve workplace health and safety problems. The requirements are not an end in themselves, but are a foundation upon which to build an effective health and safety program. WorkSafeBC is committed to the regular review of the requirements of the OHSR based on regulatory experience and changes in knowledge, technology, and work practices. All interested parties are invited to forward suggestions for improvement to WorkSafeBC. Note: The requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are adopted under the authority of the Workers Compensation Act as amended from time to time. Many parts of the OHSR have associated guidelines, which are used to help interpret and apply the OHSR. Other policies and practices of WorkSafeBC are set out in the Prevention Manual.

HOW THE OHSR IS ORGANIZED
This section provides brief information about the 32 Parts of the OHSR.
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Parts 1-4: Core Requirements 
The Core Requirements apply to all workplaces, and include:
Part 1: Definitions - A list of words used in the OHSR that have specific meanings.
Part 2: Application -- A description of how the OHSR is applied.
Part 3: Rights and Responsibilities -- Details about elements of a health and safety program, investigations and reports, workplace inspections, the right to refuse work and first aid.
Part 4: General Conditions -- Requirements for such aspects of workplace safety as building and equipment safety, emergency preparedness, preventing violence, working alone, ergonomics, illumination, indoor air quality, smoking, and lunchrooms.
Parts 5-19: General Hazard Requirements. 
Parts 5-19 deal with general hazards found in a number of workplaces, usually higher-hazard operations. Topics include the safe use of chemicals, confined space entry procedures, guarding of machinery and the use of mobile equipment. In many workplaces, including office environments, only a small portion of these requirements may apply.
Parts 20-34: Industry/Activity Specific Requirements
Parts 20-34 deal with requirements that apply to specific industries -- such as forestry, oil and gas, and construction - or to specific hazardous activities -- such as blasting and diving. The last two Parts cover firefighting, and evacuation and rescue.

IS MY BUSINESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE WORKSAFEBC REGULATION?

The Occupational Health & Safety Regulation and the Workers Compensation Act has thousands of written regulations and guidelines which, depending upon the industry you work in, employers must follow here in BC. At times, these regulations can be hard to find and sometimes even difficult to understand. So, to know if your in compliance with these regulations is no easy task. However, we at GG Health & Safety Consulting can definitely make this task a little easier for you.

Typically, we will start off by conducting a site safety inspection which will then follow up with a more detailed safety audit of your work site. With this compiled information we can then determine which areas of your business is either in compliance or non-compliance. We will then supply your organization with a detailed, but easy-to-read, report that will help you understand what steps you need to take to ensure you are in compliance with the OHSR & WCA (WorkSafeBC). We will also take the time to verbally go over our written report, step-by-step, with your team to ensure you fully understand the contents of the report and that you are comfortable in taking the next steps towards achieving safety excellence in your workplace. 

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BUSINESS NEEDS A health and SAFETY PROGRAM?

All B.C. workplaces, regardless of the type of industry you work in or the size of your business, are required to have either a FORMAL or INFORMAL occupational health and safety program. The Occupational Health & Safety Regulation (WorkSafeBC) states that an FORMAL occupational health and safety program must be initiated and maintained by each employer that has a workforce of 20 or more workers, and at least one workplace that is determined to create a moderate or high risk of injury, or by each employer that has a workforce of 50 or more workers. If this applies to the employer, the occupational health and safety program applies to the whole of the employer's operations. Also, an occupational health and safety program may be required in any workplace when, in the opinion of an WorkSafeBC officer, such a program is necessary. Click here (Part 3 Section 3.1) to read the legislation on formal Occupational Health and Safety Programs.

In any operation where the workforce is less than 20 employees the employer must initiate and maintain a less formal (INFORMAL) program based on regular monthly meetings with workers for discussion of health and safety matters, ensure that meetings are directed to matters concerning the correction of unsafe conditions and practices and the maintenance of cooperative interest in the health and safety of the workforce, and maintain a record of the meetings and the matters discussed. Click here (Part 3 Section 3.2) to read the legislation on informal Occupational Health and Safety Programs. We can help you develop an formal or informal health and safety program which will help you maintain your excellent safety record.

what elements need to be included in my health and safety program?

The different types of health and safety policies and procedures which need to be included in your OHS program depends upon the nature of your work, the hazard rating of your industry and how large your organization is. However, WorkSafeBC does state that your Occupational health and Safety Program in BC needs to be designed a certain way as per the OHSR Regulations. 

WorkSafeBC OHSR Section 3.3 - Contents of Program

The occupational health and safety program must be designed to prevent injuries and occupational diseases, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the program must include:
(a) a statement of the employer's aims and the responsibilities of the employer, supervisors and workers,
(b) provision for the regular inspection of premises, equipment, work methods and work practices, at appropriate intervals, to ensure that prompt action is undertaken to correct any hazardous conditions found,
(c) appropriate written instructions, available for reference by all workers, to supplement this Occupational Health and Safety Regulation,
(d) provision for holding periodic management meetings for the purpose of reviewing health and safety activities and incident trends, and for the determination of necessary courses of action,
(e) provision for the prompt investigation of incidents to determine the action necessary to prevent their recurrence,
(f) the maintenance of records and statistics, including reports of inspections and incident investigations, with provision for making this information available to the joint committee or worker health and safety representative, as applicable and, upon request, to an officer, the union representing the workers at the workplace or, if there is no union, the workers at the workplace, and
(g) provision by the employer for the instruction and supervision of workers in the safe performance of their work.

Learn more on how GG Health and Safety Consulting can assist your company in developing your own Occupational Health and Safety Program.

what is a health and safety audit?

The purpose of a health and safety audit in BC is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a companies existing occupational health and safety program, and to make recommendations so the companies safety program can continue to develop and improve. As well, the purpose of a health and safety audit is to determine if whether a company's existing occupational health and safety program is in compliance with WorkSafeBC OHSR Regulation (OHSR) and the Workers Compensation Act (WCA).
 
As per WorkSafeBC OHSR Regulation Section 3.1, all employers in British Columbia are required to have a written health and safety program. Any employer with 20 or more employees and is considered a low to moderate hazard work environment is considered a large employer and must have a formal health and safety program in their workplace. Any employer with less than 20 employees is considered a small employer and must have an informal health and safety program in their workplace.
 
As per Part 3, Division 3, Section 115 of the Worker’s Compensation Act all employers are directly responsible for the safety of their employees and must ensure the health and safety of their employees by developing health and safety policies, procedures and provide training and education.
 
The purpose of having a formal occupational health an safety program in place is to ensure compliance with OHSR Regulation Section 3.1 and Part 3, Division 3, Section 115 of the Worker’s Compensation Act which ensures that all companies in BC are committed towards and responsible for the health and safety of all their employees.

AS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR I SUB-CONTRACT MY WORK OUT TO OTHER COMPANIES - DO I STILL NEED TO HAVE A SAFETY PROGRAM?

A Prime Contractor cannot avoid legal responsibility for workplace safety by subcontracting out work. At most multiple employer worksites, the prime contractor is responsible for health and safety. Generally possessing knowledge of a job’s work activities, hazards, and the means to control these hazards, the prime contractor is usually the best qualified to oversee and coordinate an effective health and safety program for all workers onsite. But, all too often, owners, subcontractors, and Prime contractor responsibilities even prime contractors misunderstand this important role.

According to the Workers Compensation Act, the prime contractor is ultimately responsible for safety on the job site for all workers, whether they are an employee or subcontracted. The prime contractor of a multiple-employer workplace must coordinate all of the Occupational Health and Safety actives related to the workplace and do everything that is reasonably practicable to establish and maintain a system or process that will comply with the Workers Compensation Act. Click here (WCA Part 3 Division 3 Section 118) to read the legislation on Prime Contractors. 

We at GG Health & Safety Consulting can assist you in providing training and developing written policies, procedures and forms to ensure your prime contracting company is safe - liability wise - and due diligent in all matters when hiring outside subcontractors.

AS AN EMPLOYER, SUPERVISOR/MANAGER OR PRIME CONTRACTOR - WHAT ARE MY LEGAL HEALTH AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES IN BC?

​Whether your business is large or small in BC, the WorkSafeBC OHS Regulations and the Worker's Compensation Act requires that it be a safe and healthy place to work. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure a healthy and safe workplace. 

Supervisors in BC play a key role with very specific health and safety responsibilities that need to be understood.  A supervisor is a person who instructs, directs, and controls workers in the performance of their duties. A supervisor can be any worker, management or staff  who meets this definition, whether or not he or she has the supervisor title. If someone in the workplace has a supervisor's responsibilities, that person is responsible for worker health and safety.

In a workplace where there are two or more employers working at the same time, a written agreement should identify a prime contractor. If there is no written agreement, the owner is considered to be the prime contractor. While prime contractors in BC have overall responsibility for health and safety on a work site, employers still retain responsibility for the health and safety of their own workers.

Employer responsibilities:

• Establish a valid occupational health and safety program.
• Train your employees to do their work safely and provide proper supervision.
• Provide supervisors with the necessary support and training to carry out health and safety responsibilities.
• Ensure adequate first aid equipment, supplies, and trained attendants are on site to handle injuries.
• Regularly inspect your workplace to make sure everything is working properly.
• Fix problems reported by workers.
• Transport injured workers to the nearest location for medical treatment.
• Report all injuries to WorkSafeBC that required medical attention.
• Investigate incidents where workers are injured or equipment is damaged.
• Submit the necessary forms to WorkSafeBC.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• Ensure the health and safety of all workers under your direct supervision.
• Know the WorkSafeBC requirements that apply to the work under your supervision and make sure those requirements are met.
• Ensure workers under your supervision are aware of all known hazards.
• Ensure workers under your supervision have the appropriate personal protective equipment, which is being used properly, regularly inspected, and maintained.

Prime Contractor Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the occupational health and safety activities of all employers, workers, and anyone else at the workplace.
• Establish and maintain procedures to ensure occupational health and safety requirements at the workplace are followed by all parties.

what should I look for when hiring a health and safety consulting firm?

When hiring a professional health and safety consultant in Vancouver BC it is important to not only look at the safety consultants work experience in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, but to also look at their credentials. A few years in the OHS field and a few certificates later does not make you a qualified health and safety consultant. Hiring a experienced and educated health and safety consultant is a wise investment with numerous benefits.

Safety consultants in BC can be extremely helpful in getting an Occupational Health and Safety Program off the ground without adding duties to your busy staff’s current workload. Some key questions a company should ask before hiring a health and safety consulting firm, are:

1. What education and professional certifications do you have in the field of Occupational Health and Safety?
2. What experience do you have in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, Safety Management Systems and Safety Training?
3. What industry experience do you have?
4. Do you have liability insurance, errors and omissions insurance and WorkSafeBC insurance?
5. How do you keep up with current OHS legislation and industry best safety practices?
6. Will you provide the scope of work, timelines and deliverables in writing? What due diligence documentation do you provide?

​GG Health and Safety Consulting is more than happy to answer any of your questions. We will prove to you that we are the right fit for your need because of our experience in the field and our recognized credentials. Please contact us for more information on our health and safety consulting services in BC.

WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION (COR) PROGRAM?

The Partners Program, also known as the certificate of recognition (COR), encourages employers to create an occupational health and safety management system that goes beyond the current legal requirements. The voluntary program recognizes employers that are proactive about improving workplace safety, and dedicated to continual improvement. Employers earn a certificate of recognition when they implement an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) that has successfully passed an audit and met WorkSafeBC's standards. As part of the COR program, employers whose occupational health and safety management systems have passed an audit and are in good standing with WorkSafeBC are considered for financial incentives. Incentive payments are calculated using your company's assessable payroll and the base rate for your classification unit (CU) for the incentive year.

A certifying partner is an organization that, through agreement with WorkSafeBC, helps guide employers toward a Certificate of Recognition (COR), which certifies that the employer has implemented a safety management system that meets established standards as verified by an audit. Certifying partners are typically safety associations recognized by WorkSafeBC as having in-depth industry knowledge that is used to promote and develop workplace health and safety; there are different certifying partners for different industries. Once an employer registers with a certifying partner, the employer is first helped to implement an effective health and safety management system, then to complete and pass a qualifying audit.

​In order to qualify for COR, a certification audit is completed by an external auditor for large employers (20 or more full-time employees) or by an internal auditor for small employers (fewer than 20 full-time employees). To pass this audit, a total score of 80 per cent must be attained, and a minimum of 50 per cent must be scored on each audit element. This certification audit is valid for three years. In the following two years, the same audit process is used for internal or maintenance audits. The main purpose of the internal/maintenance audit is to identify and correct deficiencies in the management system.

what are some of the benefits of hiring a health and safety consulting firm?

Health and Safety Consultants are third party entities that come into your facility to gain an understanding of how your health and safety program is preforming in your everyday workplace operations. Here are some benefits for your company when hiring a health and safety consulting firm in BC:

1. You are hiring a certified health and safety consulting firm which is recognized with provincial and federal legislative bodies.
2. Your health and safety consultant is guaranteed to be up to date on all WorkSafeBC Regulations.
3. Health and Safety Consultants work independently and therefore can see any health and safety issues in an objective manner. 
4. You get years of special health and safety experience which just cannot be found by hiring somebody.
5. You can utilize health and safety consultants when and as needed, which can be very cost effective for your organization.
6. Health and Safety Consultants can develop you a site specific health and safety program which is in compliance with current legislation.
7. Health and Safety Consultants can provide your employees with certified safety training accreditation when needed.
8. Perhaps an organization’s safety culture is in need of significant improvement, but the culture is reluctant to change.  A health and safety         consultant can be called in to validate the importance of the desired changes and help guide the organization to a new and better safety culture, providing not only verification, but cover for the organization to make crucial changes.

Contact us to discover why GG Health and Safety Consulting would be the ideal health and safety consulting firm to hire for your company in BC.

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our health and safety consulting services

Large Employer Health and Safety Programs

Small Employer Health and Safety Programs

Health and Safety Program Audits

WorkSafeBC Compliance Consulting

Site Safety Inspections & Risk Assessments

Health and Safety Training Courses

our health and safety training courses

Joint Health and Safety Committee Training

Bullying and Harassment Training

Safety Leadership Training

Supervisor Responsibilities & Due Diligence Training

Workplace Safety Inspections Training

Workplace Violence Training

Fall Protection (Arrest & Restraint) Training

Confined Space Entry Awareness Training

Aerial Work Platform (Man Lift) Certification Training

Aerial Work Platform (Scissor Lift) Certification Training

Lift Truck Certification Training

Incident Investigations Training

Lock Out Tag Out Training

WHMIS 2015 GHS Training

Safe Sharps Disposal Training

Safe Ladder Use Training

TDG Road Training

New & Young Employee Safety Orientations Training

FOR INFORMATION ON OUR SAFETY CONSULTING SERVICES PLEASE CONTACT US:  
LOWER MAINLAND: (778) 316-6440   I   VANCOUVER ISLAND: (250) 999-9380   I   EMAIL: [email protected]