British Columbia employers have several occupational health and safety changes arriving on different dates over the next year, which makes this less a single compliance event than a calendar management problem. WorkSafeBC’s current regulatory summary identifies changes affecting volunteer fire brigades, respirator face seals, combustible dust, vehicle lifts and periodic equipment certification. The first change is already in force. Amendments dealing with society fire brigades and volunteer firefighters took effect October 1, 2026. WorkSafeBC says society fire brigades that engage firefighters, including volunteers, are treated as fire departments for Part 31 purposes and must meet the related employer requirements. The changes also clarify the treatment of other fire personnel who perform activities such as training, inspection and maintenance. A second date arrives quickly. Changes dealing with respirator face seals take effect November 6, 2026. Employers with respiratory protection programs should therefore be checking the actual rule, their fit testing practices and any affected procedures now rather than assuming that a general annual safety review will catch the change later.The broader combustible dust amendments take effect January 4, 2027.
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