May 29, 2020 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: Exposure to carbon monoxide (2 workers) Core Activity: Plumbing, heating, vent, residential air conditioning, or central vacuum system installation or…

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Published on: May 26, 2020 | WorkSafeBC Website Richmond, B.C. — WorkSafeBC is waiving premiums for employers who are approved to receive the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) for furloughed workers (employees on leave with full or partial pay). WorkSafeBC recognizes the challenges employers are facing during this extraordinary time, and in light of the…

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Journal of Commerce | John Clinkard | May 28, 2020 lthough Quebec and Ontario are home to just over 60% of the country’s population, together they have reported 84% of Canada’s 75,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 94% of the 5,600 deaths attributed to the virus. Efforts to lock down those two provinces to halt COVID’s spread…

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On behalf of the Executive Administrative Assistant, Office of the President & Board of Directors: As you may have heard, Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC’s Chair, former Chief Executive officer, and former Vice-President of Prevention Services, passed away on May 11. To celebrate his remarkable contributions to WorkSafeBC and to the workers and employers of British Columbia,…

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Vancouver Sun | Vaughn Palmer | May 27, 2020 VICTORIA — Labour Minister Harry Bains was nearing the end of a media briefing last week when he fielded a question that would cause him no end of trouble. What did he think of the B.C. Liberal proposal that WorkSafeBC use its surplus to help businesses…

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Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | May 27, 2020 PCL Construction is putting its modular construction expertise to use in the fight against COVID-19 by building specialized quarantine pods in Winnipeg. “In the early days of COVID-19 everyone was rocked,” said Wade Harms, special projects manager for PCL. “Everyone was on their heels about what…

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Published on: May 24, 2020 | WorkSafeBC Website Richmond, B.C. — WorkSafeBC is committed to sound financial management in order to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the system for workers and employers. To increase financial stability — and avoid rate volatility during economic and investment downturns — WorkSafeBC retains a reasonable level of assets…

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Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | May 25, 2020 The BC Building Trades Council (BCBT) is asking the province to launch a public inquiry into health and safety practices in the construction sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendation was included in the BCBT’s submission to Premier John Horgan’s Economic Recovery Task Force. The group…

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Vancouver Sun | Rob Shaw | May 23, 2020 VICTORIA — The government agency in charge of setting and enforcing the rules for reopening businesses closed by the pandemic can’t afford to help businesses buy protective equipment because it has lost almost all its $3 billion surplus in the recent stock market collapse. Labour Minister…

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In B.C., workplace first aid attendants must have a certificate that’s recognized by WorkSafeBC. There are three levels of occupational first aid (OFA) and one OFA certificate endorsement. The level of first aid services required for a workplace depends on the number of workers, distance to medical aid, and industry hazard rating. Update: As British…

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Published on: May 21, 2020 Further to the direction from WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD), the Policy, Regulation and Review Division (PPRD) is preparing to release a discussion paper for consultation on adding a presumption for infections caused by communicable viral pathogens (including COVID -19) on an expedited basis. The PRRD anticipates posting a discussion…

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Victoria News | ASHLEY WADHWANI | May. 21, 2020 | BUSINESS Random inspections are to ensure businesses follow COVID-19 guidelines, requirements from health officials WorkSafe BC will focus on random inspections to ensure businesses follow health guidelines and requirements as the province enters Phase Two in its COVID-19 reopening plan. According to Labour Minister Harry…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 19, 2020 VANCOUVER — The COVID-19 crisis isn’t stopping the BC Construction Association (BCCA) from continuing its campaign against harassment, hazing and bullying on jobsites.  With COVID-19 physical distancing orders in effect across the province, the association is moving its anti-harassment training online to help fight transmission of the…

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Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | May 19, 2020 National construction associations are applauding the federal government’s plan to introduce a COVID-19 funding stream from an already existing infrastructure program, but the details need to be crystal clear about what projects qualify and how the funding will be rolled out. According to a Canadian Press…

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The Builders Code partners are pleased to release the “Cool or Tool” culture training app for construction crews. This is an engaging and simple way to “unlearn” negative behaviours like hazing, harassment and bullying that can be disruptive and undermine site safety and productivity. No matter who you are, a construction site can be a tricky culture to…

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Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 14, 2020 estern Canadian construction leaders are reacting positively to a new COVID-19-focused funding stream for federal infrastructure programs. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna recently alluded to the fact the government will most likely set aside up to 10 per cent of the $33.5-billion Investing In Canada program…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 13, 2020 WorkSafeBC officials announced that its board chair, Ralph McGinn, has died. “It is with great sadness that we announce that Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC’s Board Chair, passed away suddenly on May 11,” said Anne Naser, WorkSafeBC president, in a statement. “This is shocking and saddening for…

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COCA received the following note on May 12, 2020: I am reaching out to share some very sad news – for our organization, for our province, and for many people, personally. Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC’s Board Chair, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon. This is shocking and saddening for all of us who knew him. He was…

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With the announcement last week of the gradual, phased reopening of B.C. businesses, WorkSafeBC would like to provide an overview of their role in the provincial government’s Restart Plan. The attached letter from WorkSafeBC’s President and CEO, Anne Naser outlines their approach.  WorkSafeBC is committed to providing all of our stakeholders with guidance and support on…

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Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | May 11, 2020 Forehead thermometers are popping up everywhere from the retail sector to airports as a preventative assault against spreading COVID-19 and the construction industry in Western Canada has been a fast adapter. But these devices come with caveats, industry advisers say.  Melanie Gorman Ng, a research scientist…

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