Changes to employment standards are being implemented by the Province of BC starting on Jan 1st next year.
Namely, the standards will be altered to better outline suitable types of work for teenagers between the ages of 16 to 18.
When developing these new rules, ministry staff examined WorkSafeBC injury data and other jurisdictions’ labour laws relating to hazardous employment and determined several jobs in multiple industries were not suitable for young workers.
The industries in question included food processing, oil/gas and power, forestry, construction and asbestos removal as well as others.
Consultations on these rules were held with the likes of industry, labour, safety and skills training groups, and an online survey was also available to the public.
As a result of this feedback, it was determined that 18 was the appropriate minimum age for most hazardous work, with a few exceptions.
It was also agreed that workplace safety and training needs to be prioritized at all worksites, and that existing safety standards really need to be enforced.
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