Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | June 3, 2021 Advocacy work has always been a personal passion of Donna Grant’s, but as the new Vancouver Regional Construction Association president it’s now her full-time job. “I feel like I finally landed where I belong,” said Grant. “My heart has always been in advocacy and I was…
Read MoreUnderstanding Employment Law and Vaccines in Canada
We have added this excellent resource written by HUB International and Bennett Jones to the Covid page in the Members Area. Click here.
New hard hat rules make workplaces more inclusive
Provincial Government News Release | Victoria | June 2, 2021 Workplaces in B.C. will soon be more inclusive for people who wear religious head coverings without compromising workplace safety, thanks to changes WorkSafeBC is making to B.C.’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation on safety headgear. “Creating more inclusive workplaces is a priority for our government,…
Read MoreTwo B.C. studies show how to help keep COVID-19 away by keeping clean
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | June 2, 2021 One of the few positive aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that some companies have taken it upon themselves to review the way they do their health and safety. Recent examples close to home are two studies on handwashing and cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces…
Read MoreBCFed – Injured Workers Deserve Better
From BC Fed Website / News Release June 1, 2021 The Workers Deserve Better report lays out concrete legislative and policy changes needed to create a fair, accountable, and worker-centred compensation system. The report was authored by Kevin Love, a lawyer with the Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) and expert on workers compensation issues. It is…
Read MoreProvince of B.C. moves to strengthen Site C oversight
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | June 1, 2021 VICTORIA—The Government of British Columbia is moving to enhance the Site C Project Assurance Board by increasing its independence and level of expertise. The changes follow the recommendations of the independent Site C review completed by Peter Milburn, which includes 17 recommendations to improve the…
Read MoreCovid-19 Rapid Testing Information Session – June 2 at 4 pm
Vancouver Coastal Health has scheduled the COVID-19 Rapid Testing Information Session on Wednesday, June 2, from 4:00 – 5:00 PM. Please share this Zoom registration link with your prime contractors. You are invited to a Zoom meeting: COVID-19 Rapid Testing in Construction Sector Hosted by Vancouver Coastal Health in partnership with the Provincial Health Services…
Read MoreCOVID-19 and responsibilities of prime contractors on construction sites
Prime contractors are responsible for ensuring work activities are coordinated to create a healthy and safe worksite. We answer common questions from prime contractors about COVID-19 responsibilities. See the resource » This information sheet outlines COVID-19 responsibilities of prime contractors on construction sites. It answers common questions that prime contractors might have when coordinating activities…
Read MorePreventing lifting point failures in construction
A lifting point connects rigging to a load, and if lifting point failure occurs, it can result in a serious injury or fatality. This bulletin provides best practices to employers, suppliers, manufacturers, crane operators, riggers, and prime contractors for preventing such failures. See the bulletin »
Recent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
May 21, 2021 Incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the Construction related 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: Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of…
Read MoreIndustry Special: Building health and safety programs on a foundation of research – for the BCCSA, a data-driven strategy delivers best results
Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | May 14, 2021 Years ago, improvements in construction worker health and safety often relied on simple solutions — wear a hard hat, use work gloves, pull on your safety boots. Today, improvements in worker safety are increasingly achieved in hard-won increments, underscored by data. It’s an approach that’s resulted in…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC increasing workplace COVID-19 inspections during May long weekend
Focus of inspections will be on restaurants, pubs and breweries with patios Richmond, B.C. (May 20, 2021) — WorkSafeBC will be stepping up inspections at workplaces located in potential COVID-19 hotspots over the May long weekend. The purpose of the inspection initiative is to remind businesses they must have measures and controls in place to prevent the…
Read MoreIndustry Special: Building health and safety programs on a foundation of research – for the BCCSA, a data-driven strategy delivers best results
Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | May 14, 2021 Years ago, improvements in construction worker health and safety often relied on simple solutions — wear a hard hat, use work gloves, pull on your safety boots. Today, improvements in worker safety are increasingly achieved in hard-won increments, underscored by data. It’s an approach that’s resulted in…
Read MoreCAF FCA Releases 2021 Apprentice Demand Reports
Source: Canadian Apprenticeship Forum — May 12, 2021 The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum has released its latest labour market information report, Apprentice Demand in Red Seal Trades, which draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections to provide a forward-looking assessment of the country’s demand and supply for trade certifications. This unique analysis takes into consideration key apprenticeship system characteristics…
Read MoreUPDATE: COVID-19 and BC’S Construction Industry
CONSTRUCTION WORKERS PRIORITIZED FOR COVID-19 VACCINEWorkers in BC’s construction industry are now being prioritized to receive their COVID-19 vaccination regardless of age (18 or older are eligible). Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are the first Health Authorities to officially provide an invitation to the construction industry with information on how to register. FRASER HEALTHFor…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
Province of BC Website Workers can take 3 days of paid sick leave if they need to stay home because of COVID-19. The program is in place until December 31, 2021. I’m an employer You are required to offer employees 3 days of paid sick leave if they need to stay home as a result of circumstances related to COVID-19….
Read MoreB.C. to give workers 3 paid days off for absences related to COVID-19
New program includes part- and full-time workers, offers reimbursement for employers CBC News | Posted: May 11, 2021 B.C. is going to start giving all workers in the province up to three days of paid sick leave if they have to miss work due to COVID-19, the province has announced. The new program includes part- and…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC and PHO: Important Distinction Regarding Site Closures
WorkSafeBC cannot close or open a site without direction from a medical health officer. The role of WorkSafeBC prevention officers regarding COVID-19 is to help monitor safety plans, conduct inspections, and provide enforcement support to industry and the Health Authorities. The Health Authorities can and will act without the knowledge or input of WorkSafeBC to…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
May 6, 2021 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: Electrical burn Core Activity: Electrical work Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2021-Apr A worker replacing a warehouse light fixture contacted…
Read MoreConcrete Pump Annual Inspection
On March 16, 2021, two workers on Gabriola Island died when the boom of a concrete pump truck fell and fatally injured them. While an investigation is currently underway to identify the definitive causes of this incident, all employers can benefit from understanding the risks posed by concrete pumping and the importance of conducting appropriate,…
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