Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: The NDP, CBAs and PLAs – a serving of three letter acronyms

Journal of Commerce | Ken Baerg | October 7, 2020 For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. This is the second in a series of Industry Perspectives Op-Ed columns where Ken Baerg of Canada Works…

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Public Consultation Postponed – Submit written feedback on Part 8 – Safety Headgear

In light of the provincial election, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors has decided to postpone the upcoming public hearings on the proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations scheduled for September 30, 2020.  The new date and times as well as the new submission deadline will be provided when the information is available. Please submit written…

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COCA video reiterates hard hat safety, demonstrates Sikhs can still wear the PPE

Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | September 23, 2020 The B.C. Council of Construction Associations (COCA) has produced a nine-and-a-half-minute-long video aimed at bolstering its case for keeping the province’s existing hard hat regulations in place. The video, filmed during a Ledcor Construction Ltd. toolbox talk at the King George Hub project, a mixed-use development…

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BC Building Trades leader announces run for office as NDP candidate for Langley

Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson |September 22, 2020 Andrew Mercier, executive director for the BC Building Trades, has announced he will be the BC NDP candidate for Langley in this fall’s provincial election. “I’ve always been involved in Langley, involved in the community,” said Mercier. “It’s the community I grew up in and it has…

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Recent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC

September 23, 2020 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: Violence in the workplace Core Activity: Traffic control / Construction labour supply Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2020-Sep A traffic…

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B.C. charts path for economic recovery

Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | September 21, 2020 Premier John Horgan has released Stronger BC for Everyone: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan, which is his government’s roadmap to spur economic recovery after being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/StrongerBC_BCs-Economic-Recovery-Report.pdf Here are some of the steps the province plans to make around training, infrastructure and…

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Keep hardhats universal: This BC construction employer maintains his Sikh faith, while upholding his commitment to safety

BCCSA Website For more than 30 years since his company was founded, David (Bikkar) Sarai, owner of New York Painting & Coating Ltd. in Surrey, has maintained a commitment to the safety of his employees, who number more than 200. His commitment to the Sikh faith goes back even further. He says he’s not encouraged…

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Wildfire smoke an added health challenge for construction workers

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | September 16, 2020 The construction industry is dealing with another safety challenge as wildfires in Washington State, Oregon and California have blanketed British Columbia in a thick blanket of smoke. WorkSafeBC spokesperson Barry Nakahara said the bad air conditions are an added hazard for the industry with less room…

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Industry Special: SiteReadyBC construction safety course generates significant industry uptake following July launch

Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | September 14, 2020 The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) reports encouraging enrolment and widespread industry adoption for SiteReadyBC, the first construction site safety orientation program built in BC, specifically for the province’s construction employers. The online education program was launched in mid-July to replace the formerly used CSTS-09 and any…

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Excavator Attachment Survey – Your help is needed – Final Request

Associations who have members that can provide useful feedback – please share with your members. Excavator attachments when not used properly can pose a serious risk to workers and property.  When attachments disengage unexpectedly, serious injury can occur.  Please take a moment to answer the following brief survey on your experience with attachments. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2L798GW Your…

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B.C. Workers’ Compensation Board report receives praise and heavy criticism

Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron |September 9, 2020 A long-awaited report that assesses work being done by the B.C. Workers’ Compensation Board and makes recommendations on how to improve the system is drawing rave reviews from the building trades, but construction employers maintain the suggestions are a recipe for disaster. “The bottom line is that…

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Consequential policy amendments to implement the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 23)

The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020 (Bill 23) received Royal Assent on August 14, 2020, immediately bringing into effect 32 legislative changes to the Workers Compensation Act (Act). To implement these changes, WorkSafeBC must amend our policies to reflect the legislation. Two changes to the Act with respect to benefits will come into effect on January 1, 2021. Consultation on policy changes related to these…

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Update: September 2020 virtual public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments

WorkSafeBC is holding a public hearing on proposed amendments to Parts 6, 8, 16, 18, and 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. In light of the ongoing and rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the public hearing will be held virtually to ensure social distancing. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on September 30, 2020, in…

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BREAKING: B.C. Court of Appeal upholds ruling on CBA case

Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | August 28, 2020 The B.C. Court of Appeal has halted a legal Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge by several construction industry groups to the province’s Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs). Justice Mary Newbury, who authored the court’s decision, was not swayed by the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) and other groups who asked the courts to determine if the CBAs’ union membership requirement violates workers’ freedom…

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Improve B.C. Workers’ Compensation Board medical care, communications: review

Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | August 27, 2020 VICTORIA — A review of services offered to injured workers in British Columbia makes more than 100 recommendations to improve communication, care and individual services at the Workers’ Compensation Board. Labour Minister Harry Bains released a report Aug. 26 by retired labour lawyer Janet Patterson,…

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Minister’s Statement on Release of Janet Patterson’s Workers’ Compensation Report

For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. News Release | Victoria | August 26, 2020 at 11 am Read about the Workers’ Compensation Review process. Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued the following…

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