Workers' Advisers Office
Last updated on March 25, 2024Who we are:
The Workers' Advisers Office (WAO) is a branch of the Ministry of Labour. Independent of WorkSafeBC, the WAO is a resource for workers of British Columbia, and provides workers, their dependents and other stakeholders with complimentary advice, assistance, representation, training and mentoring on workers' compensation issues.
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 in the workplace 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.
How to start a new inquiry:
Please click on the option that most closely resembles your inquiry.
I was injured at work and need help with my WorkSafeBC claim
- 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 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
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
About Us
More about who we are and what we do