Sunday, April 8, 2018 Labour Law Changes Bring Better Workplace Protections Local 301 Newsletters A recent overhaul of Alberta’s labour laws included significant changes to both the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workers Compensation Act. Here are some of the highlights. Occupational Health and Safety Act (changes go into effect June 1) • Enshrines the right of works to refuse dangerous work, bringing Alberta in line with other Canadian provinces. Employees would be paid while their refusal to work is investigated; • Employers with 20 or more workers will be required to create a joint work site health and safety committee if work lasts 90 days or more. Smaller employers will need to have a health and safety representative; • A serious injury would be reported when a worker is admitted to hospital. Currently, the threshold for reporting a serious injury is a two-day hospitalization; • Employers will be required to report “near miss” incidents; • Definitions for workplace violence and harassment will be expanded to include threats and coercion. Workers Compensation Act (changes went into effect January 1) • Removes the cap for maximum insurable earnings (currently $98,700 per year). This means injured workers earning more than that will receive 90 per cent of their expected annual earnings; • Creates a lump-sum fatality benefit of $90,772.20 for the survivors of workers who die on the job; • Gives the WCB appeals commission two years to launch formal reviews. Previously, reviews had to be launched within a year; • Creates a fair practices office to help workers navigate the WCB system; • Extends coverage for psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for all occupations. You might be interested in Strathcona Mechanical Workers Approve New Agreement with Wage and Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026 Ready To Deliver 3 Jun 2026 The Miracle of Many Hands 2 Jun 2026 Velocity Mechanical Workers Secure New Contract with Wage and Benefit Improvements 1 Jun 2026