Workers' Advisers Office
Last updated on January 22, 2026Who we are:
The Workers’ Advisers Office (WAO) was created under Section 351 of the Workers Compensation Act. It is part of the Ministry of Labour but is independent from WorkSafeBC. We provide help and free advice to workers and their families and sometimes represent them when they disagree with a decision made by WorkSafeBC. We also provide training, mentoring, and guidance to union and other representatives who help injured workers with these disagreements.
The following video provides an overview of the services we offer to help you with your WorkSafeBC matter:
When to contact us:
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.
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
I raised an occupational health and safety issue, and I need help with my prohibited action (PA) complaint
My employer or union took some action or failed to take some action when I raised an issue of workplace safety and:
- I have a PA complaint number
- Great, you are ready for advice!
- Contact the Workers’ Advisers Office to start an inquiry and get help with the process.
- Be sure to include your complaint number (e.g. 2022D1234)
- I don’t have a PA complaint number yet
- Use the WorkSafeBC Complaint Assessment Tool to confirm that a PA complaint is the right step.
- File a PA complaint with WorkSafeBC.
- If you have questions and want to speak to someone you can contact the WorkSafeBC Prohibited Action Complaints Team:
- Phone (Lower Mainland): 604-232-1864
- Toll-Free (Within BC): 1-888-967-5377, extension 1864
After you file and receive a PA complaint number, you can contact the Workers’ Advisers Office for advice and assistance.
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
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
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