More topics

Workers' Advisers Office

Last updated on April 1, 2025

Who we are:

Established under Section 351 of the Workers Compensation Act, the Workers' Advisers Office (WAO) is a branch of the Ministry of Labour and independent of WorkSafeBC.  We provide workers and their dependents with free advice, assistance, and in some cases representation, on appeals of WorkSafeBC decisions with which they disagree. We also provide training, mentoring and advice to union and other representatives helping injured workers with their disagreements with WorkSafeBC decisions.

The following video provides an overview of the services we offer to help you with your WorkSafeBC matter:

Welcome to the WAO

When to contact us:

Expand All | Collapse All
 

Contact the Workers' Advisers Office if:

  • You receive a decision from WorkSafeBC about a claim for compensation but disagree with it and want advice and assistance on a potential appeal. 
  • WorkSafeBC refused or failed to provide you with a decision on an issue of entitlement under the Workers Compensation Act. 
  • You raised an issue of health and safety under the Workers Compensation Act, and your employer took some action, or failed to take some action, that adversely affected your terms of employment or membership in a union. 
  • WorkSafeBC declined to accept your claim for "Prohibited Action" under sections 47 and 48 of the Workers Compensation Act. 
  • You have received a WorkSafeBC Inspection Report and wish to appeal the result.
 

Contact WorkSafeBC directly if:

  • You wish to make a claim for injury or occupational disease. 
  • You wish to complain about the employer's response to a health and safety concern. 
  • You have questions about the status of your claim. 
  • You have questions about why a particular decision was made by WorkSafeBC. 
  • You want WorkSafeBC to make a decision on your claim. 
  • You have general - "what if?" - questions about workers compensation law and/or WorkSafeBC policies.

Start a new inquiry:

Please click on the option that most closely resembles your inquiry.

Expand All | Collapse All
 

I have a WorkSafeBC claim and disagree with one of their decisions

  • I have a WorkSafeBC claim
  • I have an 8-digit claim number
  • I am a dependent of a deceased worker
  • I am a union representative

Start a compensation inquiry

 

I raised an occupational health and safety issue and I need help with my prohibited action complaint

  • My employer or union took some action or failed to take some action when I raised an issue of workplace safety
  • I have a complaint number (e.g., 2022D1234) 
  • I do not have a complaint number, but I need advice before I file a prohibited action complaint

Start a prohibited action inquiry

 

I received an occupational health and safety report from WorkSafeBC and I disagree with its conclusions

  • I received a WorkSafeBC occupational health and safety inspection report or order and wish to appeal its findings
  • I reported an occupational health and safety issue and WorkSafeBC failed to issue an order

Start an occupational health and safety inquiry

 

Contact us regarding an open file:

 

If you have an existing file with the Workers' Advisers Office, use the Worker Portal to:

  • Send a message to the WAO staff assigned to your inquiry
  • View documents on your WAO file
  • Update your contact information

Access the WAO Worker Portal

Find information and services by topic:

Compensation Claims and Benefits

Managing a claim, third party claims, injuries occurring outside of British Columbia, late applications for compensation

Specific Health Concerns

Chronic pain, hearing disorders, occupational diseases, psychological conditions and mental disorders

Wage-loss Benefits

Long-term wage rates, wage loss benefits, wage rates when claims are reopened

Permanent Disability Benefits

Permanent disability awards, duration of benefits, lump sums and commutations, retirement benefits

Reviews and Appeals

Reviews of WorkSafeBC decisions, appeals to Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal, applications for extension of time

Occupational Heath and Safety

Worker rights and responsibilities, prohibited action complaints

Foreign Workers

Workers in British Columbia who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of Canada, translated factsheets

Workers' Compensation Advocacy Training

Intended to enhance participants’ working knowledge about workers' compensation, prohibited action complaints, occupational health and safety complaints, and strategies and alternatives to appeals.

About Us

More about who we are and what we do