As 2024 comes to a close, we want to thank you, our members, partners and stakeholders, for your unwavering support this year—it’s been a pleasure working with each and every one of you to keep BC workers safe and employer perspectives top of mind for WorkSafeBC and the Provincial Government. We wish you and your…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 20, 2024 VICTORIA — A new director has been selected for appointment to WorkSafeBC’s governance board. Effective Dec. 31, Sharon Giffen, who is an actuary, will be appointed as a director of the Workers’ Compensation Board for a term ending Dec. 31, 2027. Giffen replaces Donald Smith,…

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Office of the Premier | December 13, 2024 VICTORIA – Premier David Eby has released the following statement about an agreement with the BC Greens: “British Columbians expect us to work collaboratively to deliver on the most important issues people are facing.   “I’m pleased to share that the government and BC Greens have reached an agreement…

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Journal of Commerce | ConstructConnect™ Media | December 16, 2024 The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) recently uploaded a series of 11 short videos — Essential Stretches for Construction Workers — to YouTube. The simple exercises, which take no more than about a minute each to complete, represent only a small part of a collection of new resources…

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On behalf of Road Safety at Work Do your company’s New Year’s resolutions include a commitment to road safety? They should if your employees do any work-related driving, from picking up office supplies to making sales calls to travelling between job sites. You’ve got legal responsibilities for employees who drive full time, part time, or…

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On behalf of WorkSafeBC –> Approved Amendments for Part 5, Emergency Planning, in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation relating to emergency procedures for hazardous substances take effect on February 3, 2025.    These amendments focus on broadening and enhancing existing requirements to minimize risks to workers and other persons. The expanded sections include:  Backgrounder available…

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December 12, 2024 Construction incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Fractures Core Activity: Structural concrete forming Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2024-Nov ID Number: 2024194900032 During the installation of vertical concrete…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 12, 2024 VANCOUVER — The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) has released its last B.C. Economic Review and Outlook of the year, with the wrap up of several megaprojects taking centre stage. According to the report, while B.C.’s economy is “weak” by historical standards, it is still better…

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Every year, the BC Construction Association (BCCA) collects valuable information from industry through the BC Construction Industry Survey. Using these insights,  a full construction industry survey report is published every April during Construction Month, highlighting important trends, priorities and bright spots for the industry. The BC Construction Industry Survey helps the BCCA to understand what’s important to the…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 9, 2024 RICHMOND, B.C. — WorkSafeBC has issued an advisory urging workers and employers across all industries to take additional precautions when working at heights as the holiday season is upon us. Tasks such as installing festive decorations, performing outdoor construction or maintaining property during the winter…

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Journal of Commerce | ConstructConnect™ Media | December 4, 2024 The BC Construction Safety Alliance’s (BCCSA) Certified Concrete Pump Operator (CCPO) program continues to work overtime to process certification requests from a growing number of applicants who are eager to be certified to remain compliant with WorkSafeBC regulations. The good news is that the program is…

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November 27, 2024 Construction incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Excavation operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2024-Nov ID Number: 2024188240017 A mini-excavator swung and struck a…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | November 25, 2024 VICTORIA — A new report from the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) is highlighting what it feels is the pressing need to strengthen B.C.’s public finances. Coined B.C.’s Deteriorating Fiscal Position: Cause for Concern, the report details record deficits, rising debt levels and repeated credit…

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Vancouver Sun | Vaughn Palmer | November 21, 2024 Vaughn Palmer: Eby was urged to delegate responsibility to front-line ministers after almost losing the election and some thought he might actually give it a try. VICTORIA — David Eby started his second term as premier by centralizing more power in his office, this time to…

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Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | November 19, 2024 VICTORIA — Premier David Eby says “kitchen table” issues in British Columbia will be the focus for his revamped, postelection cabinet that was sworn in on Monday. Eby’s new cabinet, comprising 23 ministers and four ministers of state, features a mix of new and familiar…

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Victoria | November 18, 2024 | Press Release Premier David Eby has appointed a new cabinet that is ready to listen to British Columbians and deliver on the core challenges people are facing – a team that combines years of experience and fresh perspectives from outside of government. “At a time when there is a…

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Road Safety at Work When construction trades employees drive for work in winter for anything from travelling between job sites to transporting materials and equipment or crew members, BC law requires employers to take several steps to ensure their safety. Road Safety at Work can help you. Download their small business resources covering employer responsibilities, winter driving…

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Richmond News | Valerie Leung | October 30, 2024 A company has been fined more than $43,000 after an accident left a worker seriously injured during an explosion and fire at a Richmond construction worksite. The worker, employed by a subcontractor, was working with the prime contractor, identified on WorkSafeBC’s website as 0381060 B.C. Ltd. (formerly Centreville Construction…

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Claims contained in court document are ‘baseless’ and ‘without merit,’ prime contractor EllisDon says Jason Proctor | CBC News | Posted: Nov 01, 2024 WorkSafeBC claims a “systemic failure to manage workplace health and safety” has plagued Vancouver’s multibillion-dollar Oakridge construction site, according to court documents obtained by CBC. A search warrant executed last month following an…

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BCCA Media Release Workforce shortages, payment uncertainty, and high labour costs continue to pressure BC contractors VICTORIA, B.C. (October 30, 2024) — Statistics in the BC Construction Association’s (BCCA) Fall 2024 Construction Industry Stat Pack demonstrate that while the value of existing projects continues to grow, the threat of poor industry support and declining investments in…

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