Update to Part 5 of WorkSafe BC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation

WorkSafeBC Part 5 Update: Emergency Planning for Hazardous Substances

There have been significant updates to WorkSafeBC's emergency response planning regulations within the past 12 months. In May 2024, WorkSafeBC's Board of Directors approved amendments to Part 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, which pertains to emergency planning related to hazardous substances. These amendments came into effect on February 3, 2025.

Key Changes to Emergency Planning and Hazardous Substances

The amendments aim to broaden and enhance existing requirements to minimize risks to workers and others from emergencies involving hazardous substances. Notable changes include:

• Expanded Scope of Emergency Plans: Emergency plans must now address emergencies that may arise both within and outside the workplace.
• Comprehensive Risk Assessments: Employers are required to conduct thorough risk assessments considering various factors, such as the nature of hazardous substances, potential emergency scenarios, and the effectiveness of existing control measures.
• Detailed Emergency Response Plans: Written plans must be developed and implemented, outlining procedures for responding to emergencies involving hazardous substances. These plans should include assigned roles and responsibilities, training programs, and schedules for drills.
• Regular Review and Updates: Emergency response plans must be reviewed at least annually and updated whenever significant changes occur in workplace circumstances or after an emergency incident.
• Specific Emergency Procedures: Employers must establish written procedures for notifying affected individuals, evacuating or sheltering personnel, preventing unauthorized access, and confirming the safety of all persons during an emergency.
• Safe Work Activities Post-Emergency: Procedures must be in place for safely conducting activities such as spill control, cleanup, disposal of hazardous substances, and evaluating the safety of the workplace before re-entry.
• Training and Drills: Employers are obligated to provide training to workers on known and reasonably foreseeable emergencies, including their roles and responsibilities. Regular drills must be conducted to ensure preparedness.

These amendments are designed to enhance workplace safety by ensuring that employers are better prepared to handle emergencies involving hazardous substances. For a comprehensive overview of the changes, you can refer to the official document provided by WorkSafeBC.

Expectations for Chemical Inventories and Quantities

Under the WorkSafeBC emergency response planning regulations (Part 5) that came into effect February 3, 2025, employers are expected to maintain detailed chemical inventories and quantity records as part of their emergency planning requirements when hazardous substances are present.

Chemical Inventory Requirements

Employers must:

• Identify and list all hazardous substances at the workplace.
• Maintain an up-to-date inventory that includes:
  • Product name and chemical identity
  • Quantity on site (with units: litres, kilograms, etc.)
  • Physical state (solid, liquid, gas)
  • Location (including storage areas, processing zones, etc.)
• Include WHMIS classification and safety data sheets (SDSs) for each substance.
• Review and update the inventory regularly, especially after:
  • New substances are introduced
  • Quantities significantly change
  • There is a near-miss or incident

Quantity Considerations in Emergency Planning

The quantity of hazardous substances directly impacts:

• Risk assessment: Larger volumes may require more robust control measures and emergency response procedures.
• Response planning: Response strategies (e.g., evacuation vs. shelter-in-place) must reflect the scale of potential release or exposure.
• Training and drills: Plans must be scaled appropriately to the hazard level and quantity of substances present.

Documentation and Access

• Emergency responders (internal or external) must have ready access to current chemical inventories.
• Inventories may need to be shared with fire departments or local emergency planning authorities.
• The chemical inventory should be integrated into the emergency response plan, with maps or schematics showing where substances are stored.

How Chemscape’s CHAMP Can Help

Chemscape has a Chemical Hazard Assessment and Management Program (CHAMP) application where clients can offer risk assessments on your chemical inventory and use inventory reports to comply and as part of the submission. Contact us at support@chemscape.com to learn more or if you have questions.