WorkSafeBC is holding a virtual public hearing on January 10, 2024 on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. This includes proposed amendments to Part 5 relating to emergency planning. This consultation phase is an opportunity to provide feedback, which will be carefully reviewed, before the proposed amendments are finalized. Materials for the…
Read MoreResearchers uncover the ‘secret sauce’ in Roman concrete
Journal of Commerce | John Bleasby | December 13, 2023 Two thousand years ago, the Roman Empire was expanding across much of Europe, creating infrastructure that can still be seen today. The roads, piers, sewers, dams, aqueducts and buildings necessary for a society to live and thrive would not have been possible without advanced engineering skills….
Read MoreChatGPT and construction: join the party
Journal of Commerce | Don Wall | December 14, 2023 The construction sector has been notoriously slow to adopt technological innovation, but experts say the industry is finding ways to embrace ChatGPT with lightning speed. A year ago ChatGPT was barely on anyone’s radar but today, observed Buildings Show presenter Mahir Dheendsa during a panel discussion…
Read MoreJanuary 2024 public hearing on on proposed regulatory amendments – Tower Cranes and Washroom Facilities
WorkSafeBC will be holding a public hearing for proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on January 10, 2024, in two sessions. The first will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m. Further information on how to view or participate in the virtual public hearing…
Read MoreBoard Approved Changes – Duty to Cooperate and Maintain Employment
WorkSafeBC | December 11, 2023 The Policy, Regulation and Research Department would like to thank you all for your submissions on Return to Work Obligations: Duty to Cooperate and Duty to Maintain Employment. The stakeholder feedback received by the Board of Directors informed its decision-making on the policy changes. Please click here for a summary of stakeholder…
Read MoreB.C. boosts construction sector with new immigration focus
Journal of Commerce | Sarah Rowland | December 6, 2023 British Columbia is enhancing its construction sector by including 25 new occupations in the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (B.C. PNP), which started Nov. 16. This change in policy reflects the province’s response to the urgent need for skilled labour in the construction industry. The targeted…
Read MoreVaughn Palmer: Ambitious climate targets too fast, will damage economy, says B.C. business group
Opinion: Environment Minister George Heyman disputes the conclusion, even though it was based on government numbers Vancouver Sun | Vaughn Palmer | Nov 21, 2023 VICTORIA — The New Democrats have been forced to defend their Clean B.C. climate plan because of the discovery that the government’s own modelling says it will hurt the economy. The…
Read MoreThree reappointments made to WorkSafeBC board
Victoria | News Release | December 5, 2023 Three directors have been reappointed to WorkSafeBC’s governance board. Effective Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023: The WorkSafeBC board of directors serves as steward of WorkSafeBC and the workers’ compensation system. The Workers Compensation Act requires that the board includes representation from professionals from a range of relevant fields,…
Read MoreDuty to Cooperate and Maintain Employment – Explained…
The legal duty to cooperate and duty to maintain employment come into effect on January 1, 2024. The duty to cooperate creates obligations for workers and employers to cooperate with each other, and with WorkSafeBC, to identify and make suitable work available to workers in a timely and safe manner following an injury. The duty to maintain employment applies…
Read MoreFurther guidance on first aid regulatory changes now available
In April 2023, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, relating to first aid. These amendments take effect November 1, 2024. To assist you in preparing for the proposed requirements, we have added further guidance to our backgrounder on the occupational first aid regulatory changes. A summary of…
Read MoreCrane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | November 22, 2023 VANCOUVER – Ongoing work at a construction site in downtown Vancouver has been stopped and an investigation is underway after a facade fell off a church building onto scaffolding, sending three workers to a hospital. Samantha Newlove, a traffic control worker, said the incident happened on Wednesday…
Read MoreSKILLS CANADA BC’S TRADES & TECHNOLOGY CAREER AWARENESS WORKSHOP – November 29th
Join Skills Canada for a virtual workshop to learn about Skills Canada BC and our competitions, the career possibilities within the trades and technologies, debunk the myths, and muchmore! November 29, 202411:00 AM – 12:00 PM Register today usingthe QR code! →
Time to ‘unleash the private sector,’ Gardner highlights during industry outlook panel
Journal of Commerce | Sarah Rowland | November 17, 2023 Less red tape. That was the general consensus at a recent panel held at the Riverway Clubhouse. The discussion centered on findings from a recent report released by Procore: How We Build Now. Moderated by Kimberly Corlett, Field Marketing manager at Procore Technologies, the panel featured…
Read MoreICBA continues call for justice in unsolved Coastal GasLink camp attack
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | November 16, 2023 VICTORIA — The investigation into the attack on a Coastal GasLink camp and its workers, which occurred in February 2022, remains unsolved with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reporting no new updates. This is despite the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. (ICBA)…
Read MoreStill no answers for families of Kelowna crane collapse victims
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | November 16, 2023 KELOWNA — Two years after the tragic crane collapse in Kelowna, B.C., the RCMP’s investigation remains ongoing with no conclusion in sight. When contacted by the Journal of Commerce, the RCMP had no update to report. WorkSafeBC, meanwhile, has completed its investigation into the incident…
Read MoreSupreme Court ruling ‘a game changer’ for safety professionals
Canadian Occupational Safety | November 15, 2023 | By Shane Mercer In a groundbreaking decision, Canada’s Supreme Court has ruled that municipalities can be held legally responsible for accidents on construction sites, even when they lack direct control over the workers or the workplace. This landmark judgment has sent shockwaves through the health and safety industry, prompting…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Launches 2024 Student Safety Video Contest
There is $10,000 in prize money up for grabs, to be shared by students and their schools/youth organizations! Please see the message below from WorkSafeBC. The contest is now open and we invite students to submit their entries any time between now and the April 4, 2024 deadline. Here are some important points about this…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC’s searchable Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual
WorkSafeBC has released a new searchable Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II application on the worksafebc.com website. Volume II of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual (RS&CM) contains WorkSafeBC’s current policies on compensation and rehabilitation for injured workers and their dependants. WorkSafeBC is interested in feedback on your use of the application, in terms of ease of navigation, visual cues,…
Read MoreFlexible Intermediate Bulk Containers Bulletin
This is to inform you that a new bulletin – Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers is now live on the WorkSafeBC website. Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) are useful tools for storing and transporting materials on construction sites and in other workplaces. However, they can pose a hazard when they are used to transport materials they weren’t designed…
Read MorePublic Consultation – Harassment and Violence
WorkSafeBC is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the workplace behaviour requirements that are intended to create a single, comprehensive framework in the OH&S regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. All stakeholder feedback is carefully considered and analyzed, and is provided…
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