What is the Westray Bill?

In 1992, 26 miners died in an explosion at the Westray Mine in Nova Scotia. Employees, union representatives, and government inspectors had raised safety concerns, which the company virtually ignored. The arguably preventable explosion resulted.

Canada’s Westray Bill (also known as Bill C-45) was enacted to protect workers from similar incidents. It provides legal duties of care for workplace health and safety and imposes severe penalties for violations that result in injury or death. The Bill also attributes criminal liability to organizations, including corporations, their representatives, and those who direct the work of others.

Who Does The Bill Apply To?

The Westray Bill reads: “Every one who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work or task.”

If you neglect your duty of care, you are in danger of incurring fines and potential criminal charges. Fines can be as high as CAD$100,000, with more serious offenses having no limit.

“Your Remote & Lone Workers Are Especially Vulnerable!”

The incident at the Westray Mine opened everyone’s eyes to the need to create robust safety programs that allow the employer to fully understand the exact whereabouts of all employees. Field Safe allows employers to connect to at-risk and remote workers as easily as they can to workers in the office.

Are You in Compliance with the Westray Bill? Protect your people, your reputation, and your bottom line!

DOWNLOAD A PDF. Westray Bill Compliance Overview