Journal of Commerce | Josh Gaglardi | May 5, 2022 All project-based work in the construction industry circles back to timelines, budgets and the deliverables due to clients. The industry’s workings can be compared to that of a well-oiled machine in the sense that it rarely stops. Today, Canada’s construction industry employs more than 1.4 million…
Read MoreB.C. looks to regulate young workers in construction
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 27, 2022 BC’s Ministry of Labour is looking at changing regulations to protect more young workers from hazardous jobs, including construction. Officials are asking for public feedback on regulations that are being developed to define what types of jobs are too hazardous for youth under age 16, or…
Read MoreB.C. construction groups sign letter opposing union certification changes
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | May 2, 2022 A group of 23 B.C. business organizations, including many associated with the constructions sector, have written to Premier John Horgan to express their dismay with changes proposed to the union certification provisions of the Labour Relations Code through Bill 10. “These changes will have economic repercussions…
Read More‘It’s all about company culture’: BC’s Western Pacific Enterprises takes home CCA national safety award
Each year, the Canadian construction industry honours the achievements and contributions of members of the Canadian Construction Association (CCA). At this year’s ceremony, held in Vancouver, the CCA recognized BC electrical contractor Western Pacific Enterprises (WPE) with its 2021 National Safety Award of Excellence. The award recognizes achievements in program development, staff training, and industry…
Read MoreHealth and safety consultant laments losing son in tragic workplace incident
Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | April 28, 2022 In recognition of the National Day of Mourning today (April 28), the Daily Commercial News and Journal of Commerce worked with Threads of Life on a two-part series featuring families directly impacted by a workplace tragedy. They tell their stories of loss, grief and hope. Here…
Read MoreMinistry of Labour Launches Public Engagement – Hazardous Work for Youth
From the Ministry of Labour: British Columbians are invited to provide feedback on what types of work are too hazardous to be done by youth under age 16, and in some cases, under 19. This is the next phase of the work the Ministry of Labour has undertaken to protect the health and safety of working…
Read MoreDay of Mourning – April 28
We remember the 161 B.C. workers who lost their lives in 2021 On April 28, workers, families, and employers will gather at commemorative ceremonies across the province to honour the 161 B.C. workers who lost their lives last year due to workplace injury and disease. When you lose a loved one, the pain never goes…
Read MoreBCCA ‘appalled’ with union certification changes
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 15, 2022 BC is looking to amend its union certification system from a two-step to single-step system, prompting concern from some construction leaders in the province. The current two-step system requires a minimum of 45 per cent of workers at a jobsite to sign membership cards and, once…
Read MoreDrywall recycler fined for exposing workers to asbestos
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 18, 2022 VANCOUVER, B.C. — A drywall recycling company owner has been fined thousands of dollars and is prohibited from doing business after an investigation revealed he knowingly exposed workers to asbestos. WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined Vivesh Kochher failed to ensure the health and safety of between 13…
Read MoreStakeholders applaud Alberta legislation geared to protecting road construction workers
Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | April 20, 2022 New legislation that strengthens safety measures by requiring motorists to slow down when passing road construction and maintenance workers on Alberta’s highway system is being lauded by the industry. “Alberta’s road construction and maintenance industry puts worker safety first,” says Ron Glen, CEO of the Alberta…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
April 22, 2022 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: Fractured foot, injuries to back Core Activity: Plumbing, heating, vent, or residential air conditioning installation or repair / Chemical…
Read MoreCan creative sentencing lead to better workplace safety outcomes?
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 22, 2022 Basic fines aren’t always the best way to go when punishing companies for workplace incidents. Researchers in Alberta have growing evidence that shows creative sentencing can lead to better safety outcomes. They wanted to find out how companies learn from their mistakes and how change happens…
Read MoreGabriola Island lawsuit alleges poor machinery, bad repairs caused deaths
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 25, 2022 A lawsuit filed by the families of two men killed in a construction incident on Gabriola Island claims poor building quality and shoddy repairs are responsible for their deaths. On March 16, 2021, Christopher Straw was working on a concrete foundation for his new home when…
Read MoreIndustry Perspectives Op-Ed: NDP launches assault on workers’ democratic rights
Journal of Commerce | Chris Gardner | April 13, 2022 It’s hard to imagine that in 2022 in British Columbia, we are facing the prospect of a government taking the secret ballot away from anyone, but the NDP is doing just that. For the past two decades, the secret ballot for union certification votes has been…
Read MoreProposed Policy Amendments Regarding Industry Group Movement
WorkSafeBC’s Policy, Regulation and Research Department is releasing a discussion paper, with options and draft policy, on industry group movement. WorkSafeBC adopted a new rate-setting model on January 1, 2019. Policy changes are needed to align policy with the current model and ensure WorkSafeBC’s timely ability to place and move industry groups into appropriate rate groups….
Read MoreHire an Indigenous Youth for a Housing Internship
Hire an Indigenous Youth for a Housing Internship Housing Internship for Indigenous Youth is a win-win for everyone. Interns receive training, you get additional support. CMHC’s Housing Internship for Indigenous Youth (HIIY) program provides financial assistance – a wage subsidy – to organizations and businesses in the housing sector to hire Indigenous youth for internship…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
March 29, 2022 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: Multiple fractures Core Activity: Low slope roofing Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2022-Mar While installing roof shingles, a worker fell…
Read MoreNext steps in lifting COVID-19 restrictions
Restrictions around masks and gathering capacity limits have eased throughout the province, with more changes coming soon. Learn about the latest requirements and what you need to do to continue to manage a healthy and safe workplace. The provincial government announced that, as of April 8, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., businesses will no longer need a COVID-19…
Read MoreJury awards $100M plus to victims of Seattle crane collapse
Journal of Commerce | The Associated Press | March 15, 2022 SEATTLE—A jury awarded more than $100 million March 14 to some of the victims of a tower crane collapse that killed four people in Seattle in 2019. Workers were disassembling the 300-foot crane in strong wind gusts when it fell from the roof of a…
Read MoreJoe Wrobel is B.C.’s highway and bridge maintenance king of the road
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | March 14, 2022 Joe Wrobel has been living and breathing highway and bridge repair and maintenance for 45 years and knows the industry inside out. From an office in Vernon, in north Okanagan, Wrobel owns and operates three companies: JPW Earthworks Inc., Traction Innovations and JPW Road and Bridge…
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