The largest area of Andy’s practice is occupational health and safety (OHS), an expanding area of the law and one of increasing concern for employers. He provides strategic advice and representation to his clients on issues relating to the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, the Canada Labour Code, and associated federal OHS regulations. He is especially skilled at working on matters regarding serious injuries and fatalities, including advising clients on crisis management and how to avoid administrative penalties and prosecutions in such serious cases. Andy has advised employers in 40 cases involving workplace fatalities.
Andy spent three years as in-house counsel at the BC Labour Relations Board, where he obtained in-depth exposure to labour law and administrative law issues. Having an insider’s view of the internal workings of an administrative tribunal allows him to more effectively serve his clients in proceedings before administrative agencies and tribunals such as WorkSafeBC, the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal, and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Andy has represented both provincially and federally regulated public and private sector employers involved in a wide range of activities, including local government, education, hospitality, insurance, forestry, mining, construction, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, property management, retail, healthcare, and the arts.
Recognition
- 5-Star Safety Lawyer, Canadian Occupational Safety, 2022
- Recognized Lawyer: Workers’ Compensation Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, 2020 – present
- Recognized Lawyer: Labour and Employment Law, Best Lawyers in Canada, 2024
Recent Speaking Engagements
- “Supervisory Due Diligence: Satisfying Your Responsibility For Occupational Health & Safety”, Bongarde Media, November 2022
- Supervisory Due Diligence: Satisfying Your Responsibility For Occupational Health & Safety, BC Municipal Safety Association and Public Works Association of BC, October 2022
- “Managing Serious Injury and Fatality Investigations”, Bongarde Media, June 2022
- “Managing Serious Injury and Fatality Investigations”, Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, June 2022“Serious OHS Investigations in BC”, BC Municipal Safety Association/Public Works Association of BC Joint Annual Conference and Trade Show, October, 2021
- “Penalties and Prosecutions: The Legal Risks of an Ineffective Safety System”, BC Municipal Safety Association/Public Works Association of BC Joint Annual Conference and Trade Show , October, 2021
- “WCB and OHS Issues During the Covid-19 Pandemic” (Co-presenter), Webinar presentation to BC Municipalities, May, 2020
- “COVID-19: Recalling Staff and Occupational Health and Safety Issues (Co-presenter), Webinar presented to BC Dental Association, May, 2020
- “Preparing for a Phased “Re-opening” – Adapting to a New Normal (Co-presenter), Client webinar, April, 2020
- “COVID-19 and the Legal Consideration for Employers” (Co-presenter) Client webinar, March, 2020
- “COVID-19 and the Legal Consideration for Employers” (Co-presenter), presented to Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, March, 2020
- “COVID-19 and the Legal Consideration for Employers” (Co-presenter), presented to Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch, March, 2020
- “Trending Issues In Workers Compensation And Occupational Health And Safety” (Co-presenter), Health Authorities’ Workplace Health & Safety Leadership Education, May 2019
- “Minimizing The Risk Of A Discriminatory Action Complaint”, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering, Lower Mainland Chapter of British Columbia, May 2018
- “Trending Issues In Workers Compensation And Occupational Health And Safety” (Co-presenter), Health Authorities’ Workplace Health & Safety Leadership Education, June 2018
Professional & Community Activities
- Member, Administrative Law and Labour Law sections, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
- Member, Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of British Columbia and Yukon
- Member, Employers’ Forum
- Member, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering
Practice Areas
Year of Call
- British Columbia, 1989
Education
- LLB, University of British Columbia,1988
- BComm (Hons), Industrial Relations
- Management, University of British