Posted March 26, 2021 — see BCCDC Website for most up to date information. Point-of-care (POC) test kits can be used to rapidly screen people for COVID-19 in select settings to reduce the chances of outbreaks and control the spread of COVID-19. Point-of-care (POC) test kits are now available to support select screening initiatives in…
Read MoreUpdate on COVID-19 Rapid Testing as it Pertains to the BC Construction Industry
BC construction will shortly have the opportunity, to screen asymptomatic employees for evidence of the COVID -19 virus. The Government of Canada Health officials has supported asymptomatic screening of workers, especially those whose work in close proximity to one another. It is the view of Health Canada medical professionals that screening would have a positive…
Read MoreCompulsory trades may be around the corner for B.C.
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | March 19, 2021 A new poll commissioned by the BC Building Trades suggests strong support for restoring compulsory trades in the province. The poll, conducted this month by ResearchCo., shows 80 per cent of respondents support restoring compulsory trades in B.C. The Building Trades added in the poll, 90…
Read MoreVICA launches harm reduction program to combat rising rate of overdoses
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS , OH&S | March 22, 2021 VICTORIA — Construction leaders on Vancouver Island have announced a new program to combat the rising rates of drug overdoses. The Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) has launched its Tailgate Toolkit Project, a three-phased approach that includes stakeholder engagement, development and implementation of training curriculum and refinement…
Read MoreVaccines on the way for Site C, LNG Canada, Trans Mountain workers
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | March 19, 2021 FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — COVID-19 vaccine doses are on the way for workers at B.C.’s largest industrial projects in the north. Northern Health announced it is in consultation with B.C.’s Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Officer to vaccinate workers at high risk…
Read MoreCOVID-19 vaccination and the workplace
WorkSafeBC strongly supports B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan. WorkSafeBC has information about the role that vaccination can play in workplace health and safety, along with information about submitting a claim for an adverse reaction to a work-related COVID-19 vaccination — click HERE.
How will workplace design change after the COVID-19 pandemic?
Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | March 18, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has forever altered the traditional workplace but what will the workplace of the future look like? That was the question posed to speakers on a design panel entitled Technology used by Architects, Designers and Spec Writers in Present Lockdown, Stay at Home Times,…
Read MoreIndustry Special: BCCSA’s PCTAC takes on big challenges to help contractors of every size
Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | March 18, 2021 Becoming a member of the Prime Contractors Technical Advisory Committee (PCTAC) for the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) is entirely voluntary. But representatives of COR®-certified General Contractors’ who step up to the plate have found that membership has its rewards, from taking on the common challenges of…
Read MoreTwo workers die after concrete-pump boom topples on Gabriola Island
Vancouver Sun | Andrew Duffy • Victoria Times Colonist | Mar 17, 2021 Gabriola Island RCMP said a boom from a concrete pump-truck broke and landed on two workers at the construction site on Taylor Road. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene. Two workers are dead after an accident on a construction site on Gabriola…
Read MoreBREAKING: Two workers have died after cement boom topples on Gabriola Island: B.C. RCMP
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | March 16, 2021 GABRIOLA, B.C. — The RCMP say two workers have died after a cement boom toppled on Gabriola Island in British Columbia. The Mounties say in a news release that police and emergency services were called to a construction site Tuesday morning. The release says the boom of…
Read MoreBritish Columbians Support Return to System of Compulsory Trades Certification
By Mario Canseco | Research Co. Vancouver, BC [March 12, 2021] – A new survey finds that most British Columbians support compulsory certification of the skilled trades and believe certification will make the construction industry safer. “This poll demonstrates that British Columbians overwhelmingly support a return to compulsory trades certification,” noted Brynn Bourke, interim executive…
Read MoreConstruction High Risk Strategy
The Construction High Risk Strategy (HRS) is designed to reduce the construction industry’s serious injury rate and the high volume of claims by taking a “risk-based” approach. The construction general injury rate and serious injury rate are consistently higher than overall provincial injury rates. Serious injuries account for approximately 19 percent of claims in construction….
Read MoreBCCSA readies launch of groundbreaking asbestos awareness courses this summer
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | March 10, 2021 The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) is readying the launch this summer of its groundbreaking online training courses on asbestos awareness, the first of its kind in Canada. “It has been a year in development and the first module just needs to be cleaned up a…
Read MoreEnhancements to COVID-19 section on worksafebc.com
From WorkSafeBC Stakeholder Relations: We would like to update you on recent enhancements we’ve made to worksafebc.com to improve access to COVID-19 information and resources. What are the changes? Over the past weekend, we implemented the following changes to improve the experience of those looking for information on how to stay healthy and safe at work and…
Read MoreMarch 3, 2021 Recent work-related Construction incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
March 3, 2021 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: Multiple fractures, possible concussion Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work Location: Lower Mainland Date of…
Read MoreFamulak appointed president of BC Chamber of Commerce
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | March 3, 2021 VANCOUVER, B.C — Fiona Famulak, who previously led the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, has been appointed president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “I have enormous respect for the BC Chamber of Commerce and am honoured and excited to lead the organization at…
Read MoreWorkSafe BC Public Hearings this Wednesday
This is just a quick reminder about this week’s WorkSafe BC public hearings. They are being held this Wednesday, March 3rd from 11am to 1pm and then from 3 to 5pm. The actual submission deadline is Friday March 12th. Please note a maximum of 10 minutes will be allotted to each person or organization per regulatory…
Read MoreLetter to the Editor: Article feedback on, ‘Unsecured material claims industry veteran’s life, raises questions about site safety.’
Journal of Commerce | Dave Baspaly | February 18, 2021 To the Editor, On Feb. 5, 2021, the Journal of Commerce (JOC) ran an article entitled, “Unsecured material claims industry veteran’s life, raises questions about site safety.” The Council of Construction Associations is deeply saddened by the tragic death of John Scheeren. Unfortunately, this article inaccurately…
Read MoreB.C. construction safety officials explain how to be prepared for a pandemic
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | February 17, 2021 It has been over a year since the coronavirus reared its ugly head in Canada. Judging from the uneven success of combatting the spread of the disease in many jurisdictions here and in the rest of the world, and considering the infrequency of pandemics, one could…
Read MoreThird wave of asbestos-related deaths looms as NDP at a standstill on taking action
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | February 15, 2021 As Canada’s third wave of asbestos-related deaths looms, B.C.’s government appears to be no closer to implementing the sweeping changes outlined in its December 2018 report on the asbestos industry, including licensing and standardized training. “This is not controversial,” said Neil Munro, business manager for the…
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