“The Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations will now ensure greater protection for workers and employers in regard to workplace health and safety standards,” said Honourable Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs. “The amended regulations are a key factor in the continued development of a workplace health and safety culture on Prince Edward Island. We look forward, through these initiatives and in cooperation with workers and employers, to creating environments where serious workplace injuries are a thing of the past.”

The Occupational Health and Safety Act Regulations will extend to workplaces where less than three persons are employed and to farm operations; however, based on input from the farm community, a two-year phase-in period has been established, effective from the proclamation date. This phase-in period allows WCB staff to work with the farming community to increase awareness about the new requirements outlined in the PEI Farm Safety Code of Practice. The code of practice was developed with input from the provincial OHS Advisory Council’s Farming Sub-Committee which includes members from the National Farmers Union and the Federation of Agriculture.

The Chair of the Workers Compensation Board, Jim Lee, explained that the amended regulations also include important updates to fall protection on Prince Edward Island. “As such, the Workers Compensation Board will be offering education sessions for stakeholders on the fall protection amendments in early 2005. The regulations have been amended to provide a level of fall protection that meets current industry standards and expectations when working both in and out of the province. Last year in Prince Edward Island there were 94 falls from elevations. It is important that workers, employers and WCB work together to eliminate these preventable accidents.”

For more information on these amendments, contact the Workers Compensation Board at 902-368-5697.