What is the difference between a regulation and a guideline?
A regulation is a legal requirement that must be met by all workplaces under the jurisdiction of WorkSafeBC. A guideline is intended to assist with providing ways of complying with the legislation, not to provide an exclusive interpretation. Many sections of the Workers Compensation Act and the OHSR have associated guidelines. See the OHS Guidelines for Occupational First Aid: • PDF format (205kb) • html format.
A regulation is a legal requirement that must be met by all workplaces under the jurisdiction of the WorkSafeBC. A guideline is intended to assist with providing ways of complying with the legislation, not to provide an exclusive interpretation. Many sections of the Workers Compensation Act and the OHSR have associated guidelines. See the OHS Guidelines for Occupational First Aid: PDF format (160 KB) or html.
• A regulation is a requirement and failure to comply may result in penalties. A guideline contains recommended practice intended to help people comply with laws and regulations; alternative approaches may be acceptable. • Both are requirements, but a guideline carries no penalty for violation. • Regulations apply only to institutions. Guidelines are for individuals, such as Principal Investigators. • Regulations refer only to adverse experiences. Guidelines cover all aspects of a clinical trial.
