Bill 30 set to overhaul workplace safety in Alberta

Employers in Alberta should prepare for an increase in workers refusing assignments which they deem unsafe.

Bill 30, an Act to Protect the Health and Well-being of Working Albertans, was introduced Monday at the province’s legislature.

Labour Minister Christina Gray, said the law will start conversations about health and safety at workplaces in the province that may not have had them before.

The bill would ensure that workers have, among others, “the right to refuse dangerous work”.

“This bill would better protect hardworking Albertans and provide fair compensation to Albertans injured on the job” said Gray

Occupational health and safety changes
If passed, the legislation will make major changes to health and safety in Alberta

• Enshrining the three rights of workers in Alberta’s legislation:
  • The right to refuse unsafe work. The proposed changes protect workers from any form of reprisal for exercising this right, including loss of compensation or benefits.
  • The right to know. The proposed changes ensure workers are informed about potential hazards and have access to basic health and safety information in the workplace.
  • The right to participate. The proposed changes ensure workers are involved in health and safety discussions, including participation in health and safety committees.

• Mandating joint work site health and safety committees for workplaces with 20 or more employees. These committees are responsible for:
  • inspecting the work site for hazards
  • helping employers respond to health and safety concerns of workers
  • helping resolve unsafe work refusals
  • helping develop health and safety policies and safe work procedures
  • helping with new employee health and safety orientation
  • developing and promoting education and training programs.

• Requiring employers with between five and 19 workers to have a health and safety representative in the workplace
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities of workplace parties for health and safety, including the obligations of employers, supervisors, workers, owners, prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers, self-employed persons and temporary staffing agencies
• Requiring employers to report “near miss” incidents to OHS. A “near miss” incident is one that had the potential to cause serious injury to a person but did not

A spokesperson for the United Conservative Party said caucus would provide reaction after they've had a chance to review the bill and talk to constituents and stakeholders.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act was passed in 1976 and has not undergone substantial changes since then.

The Workers' Compensation Act hasn't been reviewed in more than 15 years.

If passed, most changes to OHS would come into effect on June 1, 2018.

Most of the WCB side of the legislation would become law on Jan. 1, 2018. The government wants to have the Fair Practices Office running by Dec. 1, 2018.


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