Overview

• What: Amend the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation to align definitions and clarify coverage for firefighting roles
• Who: Firefighters, fire brigades, volunteer firefighters and their societies
• Why: To ensure clarity and confirm obligations
• How: Click on our feedback button to provide feedback on the proposed amendments
• Key topics: Firefighting, volunteer, societies

Summary

The changes to Part 31 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation will make the requirements match the definitions in the Workers Compensation Act. This means the term “firefighter” will follow the Act’s definition, and the requirements will clearly apply to volunteer firefighters and fire brigades run by societies. The old definition of “firefighter” in Part 31 will be removed, and the definition of “fire department” will be updated to include societies.

A new term, “fire personnel,” will be added to cover workers who do fire-related jobs that are not part of the Act’s definition of firefighter. This includes tasks like inspections, maintenance, and training, as well as people who fight fires but mainly do other work. These changes make sure everyone who does fire-related work, paid or volunteer, is covered by the safety requirements. The section saying the requirements do not apply to forest firefighting will stay the same, and extra wording will be removed to make the requirements clearer.

How you can share your feedback

Send an email to stakeholderrelations@worksafebc.com, click the feedback button, or follow this link to the online feedback form: Online feedback form. Feedback will be accepted until December 12, 2025.

How your contributions make a difference

Your input will help us understand the implications of the proposed amendments, assist in the regulatory process, and increase safety in workplaces across British Columbia.

Learn more

Read the proposed amendments and provide comment: November 2025 public hearing on proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.