WorkSafeBC adds presumption for infections caused by viruses

WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved the addition of a presumption for infections caused by communicable viral pathogens (e.g., the virus causing COVID-19) to the Workers Compensation Act.  The presumption is only effective under a declared emergency under the Public Health Act or the Emergency Program Act (and there are currently declarations under those acts) in processes or industries where “there is a risk of exposure to a source or sources of infection significantly greater than that to the public at large.”

RCC provided input that improved the wording of the amendment, but nonetheless strongly opposed the amendment because the change could result in higher assessment rates for retail classifications in B.C.

For more information on this announcement, please contact Greg Wilson, Director of Government Relations at gwilson@retailcouncil.org.