WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors has recently approved two major sets of changes to Part 31 (Firefighting) of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR).
1. Society Fire Brigades (Effective October 1, 2026)
Approved at the February 2026 meeting, these amendments expand workplace health and safety protections to include society fire brigades. Key updates include:
- Broadened Scope: The definition of "fire department" is updated to explicitly include societies.
- New "Fire Personnel" Category: A new definition for "fire personnel" is added to cover workers (paid or volunteer) who perform fire-related duties—such as inspection, maintenance, and training—but may not meet the formal definition of a "firefighter" under the Workers Compensation Act.
- Universal Standards: New section 31.1(2) clarifies that all safety requirements in Part 31 applying to firefighters now also apply to these "fire personnel".
2. Standards Updates for Respirators (Effective April 1, 2026)
Approved in late 2025, these changes now in effect update technical references to ensure equipment meets modern safety standards:
- Respirator Selection: Part 31 now references the CSA Z94.4-18 standard for the selection, use, and care of respirators, replacing the older 2002 version.
- Equipment Maintenance: New requirements for the inspection and hydrostatic testing of compressed air cylinders used in self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Details and explanatory notes for these amendments are available on the WorkSafeBC website.