Changes to Work Refusal (BC)

On August 22, 2022, amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) that strengthens worker protections on the right to refuse unsafe work came into effect.

All workers in British Columbia have the right to refuse work where there is reasonable cause to believe it would create an undue hazard to their health or safety.

Under the new rules, employers must notify workers in writing of any unresolved work refusal due to safety concerns. Employers are also required to tell any subsequent worker why the first worker felt the task was unsafe, and explain why the task would not create an undue hazard to their health and safety.