Alberta, Canada Law Alters Occupational Health and Safety Act
The Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act was approved by parliament on December 9, 2020.
- By Nikki Johnson-Bolden
- Jan 13, 2021
The Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act received Royal Assent in Alberta, Canada on December 9, 2020, according to JD Supra.
Royal Assent is the approval of a bill in both houses of parliament in Canadian government. Now that the Ensuring Safety and Cutting Red Tape Act has achieved Royal Assent, it will completely replace Alberta’s current Occupational Health and Safety Act. The new Act also makes amendments to the Alberta Workers’ Compensation Act.
The Act gets rid of some requirements concerning Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs), such as the frequency of meetings, payment and timeline for meetings and training. However, Alberta’s government may add additional rules for the JHSC. Representatives could also be added to the Occupational Health and Safety Code by regulation.
Under the new legislation, employers will no longer be required to create a health and safety program with the Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committee (JWHSC). Additionally, employers will not be required to pay employees who refuse to work, or in the event that a stop-work order is in effect.
About the Author
Nikki Johnson-Bolden is an Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety.