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VICTORIA — William Laird Cronk has been appointed chair of WorkSafeBC’s board of directors for a three-year term, effective Feb. 26.

Cronk succeeds outgoing chair Baltej Dhillon, who began his term in June 2023.

“We thank Baltej Dhillon for his invaluable leadership,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of labour, in a statement. “During his tenure, he was instrumental in the creation of more inclusive and safe workplaces that ensured turban-wearing Sikhs can participate more fully in the workforce. He also supported the implementation of new return-to-work requirements to better support injured workers. As the new chair, William Laird Cronk’s focus will be on working with WorkSafeBC to prevent workplace injury and illness, promote safe workplaces through strong compliance and ensure meaningful programs are in place to help injured workers. I look forward to working with him.”

A Red Seal electrician by trade, Cronk spent more than two decades working in the marine, communication, commercial, industrial and residential sectors in B.C.

“It’s an honour to take on this role,” Cronk said. “Workers deserve safe workplaces and fair treatment if they’re injured on the job. I am committed to working with the board, staff and key stakeholders to strengthen the workers’ compensation system in our province to meet the needs of the workers and employers who rely on it.”

The WorkSafeBC board of directors is appointed by the B.C. minister of labour and serves as stewards of WorkSafeBC and the workers’ compensation system. The Workers Compensation Act requires the board of directors includes representation from professionals from a range of relevant fields, such as occupational health and safety, law enforcement and an actuary. Representation must also include workers, employers and the public interest, the release adds.