Effective January 1, 2023, the Employment Standards Regulation will prescribe minimum ages for certain types of work that is too hazardous for younger workers in B.C.
Employees must be a minimum age of 16 years to undertake the following activities:
- construction
- silviculture
- forest fighting
- working from heights that require fall protection
Employees must be minimum age of 18 year to undertake the following activities:
- tree falling and logging
- using a chainsaw
- work in production process at a pulp, paper, saw, shake or shingle mill
- work in a production process at a foundry, metal processing, or metal fabrication operation, refinery, or smelter
- powerline construction or maintenance where electrical hazards exists
- oil or gas field servicing and drilling
- work with dangerous equipment in fish, meat, or poultry processing facilities
- silica process/exposure to silica dust
- work in which a workers is or may be exposed to potentially harmful levels of asbestos
- exposure to harmful levels of radiation
- working in a confined space or underground workings
- work requiring a respirator
Recognizing the importance of apprenticeships and training programs, these age restrictions will not apply to industry training programs overseen by SkilledTradesBC. Current employees who will reach the prescribed age requirements by April 1, 2023 will be excluded from the requirements.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.