B.C. prescribes minimum ages of 16 or 18 for certain kinds of hazardous work

The Employment Standards Regulation has been amended to prescribe a minimum age of 16 for certain activities, including construction and working from heights that require fall protection, and a minimum age of 18 for activities including; using a chainsaw; exposure to silica dust; work where the worker is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of asbestos; and work requiring a respirator, among other activities. A full list of the affected activities can be found here.

The changes will take effect January 1, 2023.