Report Unsafe Work or Request Inspection in Surrey

Labor and Employment British Columbia 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of British Columbia

In Surrey, British Columbia, employers, workers and members of the public can report unsafe work practices or request an inspection when a workplace, construction site or public hazard threatens health or safety. This guide explains municipal complaint routes, provincial reporting to WorkSafeBC, practical action steps, and which departments enforce rules in Surrey so you can act quickly and with confidence.

Report immediate dangers to people first, then follow the reporting steps below.

Where to report and who enforces

The primary avenues for reporting unsafe work or requesting an inspection in Surrey are municipal bylaw enforcement and building inspections for public and property hazards, and WorkSafeBC for workplace safety and occupational hazards. Use the City of Surrey bylaw and building services for public hazards and site conditions that breach municipal permits or bylaws[1]. For hazards affecting workers or unsafe work procedures, contact WorkSafeBC for an occupational safety inspection and incident reporting[2]. For building permit compliance or dangerous building conditions, contact the City of Surrey Building/Permits division[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Surrey enforces municipal bylaws through its By-law Enforcement and Building divisions; WorkSafeBC enforces provincial occupational health and safety requirements. Specific fines, escalation and timelines vary by the controlling instrument:

  • Enforcer: City of Surrey By-law Enforcement for municipal bylaw breaches (nuisance, site safety, prohibited deposit of materials). See the City enforcement contact page[1].
  • Enforcer: City Building Inspections for unsafe building conditions or breaches of building permits; inspectors can issue stop-work orders and permit-related remedies[3].
  • Enforcer: WorkSafeBC for workplace safety violations; inspectors can issue compliance orders, stop-work orders, and recommend prosecutions under provincial legislation[2].

Fine amounts and statutory penalties for municipal bylaw offences are not always listed on the general enforcement pages; where a specific bylaw sets fines they appear in the bylaw text or ticket schedules available on the City website or in the bylaw document. If an exact monetary amount or escalation schedule is required, check the specific bylaw or the WorkSafeBC penalty guidance; if a figure is not published on the cited page, it is noted below as not specified on the cited page.

Fines, escalation and non-monetary sanctions

  • Monetary fines: specific amounts for municipal bylaw offences are not specified on the general City enforcement page; see the specific bylaw or ticket schedule for amounts (not specified on the cited page).
  • Escalation: many municipal enforcement regimes use warnings, tickets, and then escalating fines or court prosecution for continuing offences; exact escalation steps are not specified on the general enforcement page.
  • Orders: inspectors can issue compliance or stop-work orders for unsafe conditions (WorkSafeBC and City building inspectors both have order powers per their enforcement pages[2][3]).
  • Court actions and prosecutions: enforcement may result in provincial prosecution or municipal ticketing/court proceedings; specifics depend on instrument and are not fully specified on the cited general pages.
If you are unsure whether an issue is a workplace hazard or a municipal bylaw problem, report to both the City and WorkSafeBC if people are at risk.

Appeals and review

  • Appeal routes: appeals of municipal orders or permits follow the procedures in the controlling bylaw or the City appeals process (not specified on the cited general page).
  • Time limits: statutory limits for appeals or requests for review are set by the specific bylaw, permit conditions or provincial legislation; if not listed on a general enforcement page, check the controlling instrument (not specified on the cited pages).

Defences and discretion

  • Defences: reasonable excuse, compliance with a valid permit, or a variance may be available depending on the bylaw or permit terms (not specified on the cited general pages).

Applications & Forms

The City of Surrey publishes online reporting and permit portals for bylaw complaints and building/permit applications. For workplace incident reporting, WorkSafeBC provides online reporting guidance and forms for employers, workers and the public. Where a named form or fee is required the controlling page will state it; if no form is published for a specific municipal enforcement action, state that no form is required or that the form is not specified on the cited page.

Action steps to report unsafe work or request an inspection

  1. Immediate danger: if someone is in immediate danger call 911 and take urgent steps to remove people from harm.
  2. Notify site supervisor or employer and ask for immediate corrective action; document the names, times and responses.
  3. Document the hazard with photos, dates and witness contact details.
  4. File a complaint with WorkSafeBC for occupational hazards using the official WorkSafeBC reporting guidance[2].
  5. Report municipal or permit-related hazards to the City of Surrey bylaw or building inspection service via the City reporting pages[1][3].
  6. Follow up in writing, keep records of responses, and if ordered corrective action is not taken, ask about escalation or seek legal advice.

FAQ

Who enforces workplace safety in Surrey?
The provincial agency WorkSafeBC enforces workplace safety and inspects occupational hazards; the City enforces municipal bylaws and building permit compliance for site and public safety.
Can I request a City inspection for a construction site?
Yes, report unsafe site conditions or permit non-compliance to the City of Surrey Building/Permits division using the City reporting pages; include photos and permit details if available.
Will reporting to the City replace a WorkSafeBC report?
No, they are different regimes; if workers are at risk report to WorkSafeBC as well as the City so both authorities can assess the risk.

How-To

  1. Identify the hazard and whether it affects workers, the public, or both.
  2. For immediate risk call 911 and remove people from danger.
  3. Report the issue to the site supervisor and document the response.
  4. Submit a complaint to WorkSafeBC for occupational hazards following the WorkSafeBC reporting guidance[2].
  5. Report municipal or permit issues to the City of Surrey Bylaw or Building division via the City reporting pages[1][3].
  6. Track the file number, follow deadlines, and appeal or request review if required by the controlling instrument.

Key Takeaways

  • Report workplace hazards to WorkSafeBC and municipal hazards to the City of Surrey.
  • Document evidence, notify supervisors, and retain records of reports and responses.
  • Inspectors may issue stop-work or compliance orders; check appeal routes in the controlling instrument.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Surrey - By-law Enforcement
  2. [2] WorkSafeBC - How to report unsafe work
  3. [3] City of Surrey - Building permits & inspections

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