Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 30, 2021 On April 19 Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland introduced the 2021 federal budget to the House of Commons, the first budget in two years released in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The budget deficit is at a historic high of…
Read MoreIndustry Special: Clarifying the workplace safety responsibilities of prime contractors during COVID-19
Journal of Commerce | WorkSafeBC | April 30, 2021 The construction industry’s collaborative response in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 shows the power of community, while raising important questions about the roles and responsibilities of prime contractors and subcontractors in multi-employer workplaces. “If you’re wondering who’s responsible, it’s you,” says Andrew Kidd, a WorkSafeBC…
Read MoreRapid COVID-19 Point of Care Screening Program
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. Find more information on the BCCDC website here.
Opinion: We need a post-pandemic vision for investment, jobs and opportunity in British Columbia
Vancouver Sun | Bridgitte Anderson • Bryan Cox | Apr 16, 2021 Opinion: Finance, tax and regulatory reform is needed and must support and encourage economic activity and growth instead of deterring it. B.C. has recently entered the third wave of the pandemic and, with rising cases and an increase in variants, there are significant health challenges,…
Read MoreChris Gardner: Wellness must be key focus of construction industry
Vancouver Sun Op Ed | Chris Gardner | Apr 26, 2021 Opinion: We need to talk about mental wellness more openly and in every part of construction — on our job sites, in our safety briefings, at our tool box talks, and in our offices To say that as a society, we have a challenge…
Read MoreConstruction part of WorkSafeBC three-year high-risk strategy plan
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 27, 2021 RICHMOND, B.C. – WorkSafeBC has announced construction will be included in its new high-risk strategies and industry initiatives. The three-year plan will target construction, forestry, health care and social services, and manufacturing, sectors where WorkSafeBC believes the risk of serious injury or death are the…
Read MoreWestern Canada observes Day of Mourning during pandemic
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 28, 2021 KAMLOOPS, B.C. — In 2020, 151 B.C. workers died from job-related injuries or illness. In Alberta, 150. On April 28, workers and groups around Western Canada will acknowledge them and the many others who have died in recognition of the Day of Mourning. In B.C.,…
Read MoreBC Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
If you work in BC’s construction industry, here’s what you need to know about the travel restrictions announced today by BC’s Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth. BC’s five Health Authorities have been combined into three. Travel into and out of the regions for non-essential reasons is prohibited by law: Vancouver Island (Vancouver Island Health) Lower…
Read MoreSite C COVID-19 cases on the rise
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 21, 2021 FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – A dozen people at the Site C dam project in northern B.C. have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of cases of COVID-19 related to people working on the project up to 82 since March 2020. According…
Read MoreBC Building Trades urges WorkSafeBC to require ‘dignified’ sanitary site bathrooms
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 26, 2021 Armed with new research, the BC Building Trades is on a mission to improve bathroom facilities for the province’s construction workers. A comprehensive study produced by Harwood Safety Group for the Building Trades examined current laws and practices around washroom accommodations for construction sites. The report…
Read MoreWestern provinces provide mixed reviews on the federal budget
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 21, 2021 As the country begins to digest the recently released federal budget, Alberta and B.C. are looking at how federal spending may help the west recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and historic economic challenges in the energy sector. Alberta Alberta President of Treasury Board and Minister of…
Read MoreB.C. looking to fast-track construction training
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 21, 2021 VICTORIA — B.C. is looking to fast-track up to 30 eligible residents who want skills training to prepare them for jobs as construction craft workers and labourers in the Lower Mainland. The new Community and Employer Partnerships (CEP) project from the province will prioritize recruiting…
Read MoreHealth Order Clarification – Essential Travel
On Monday April 19th at 2 pm the Provincial government announced that non-essential travel should be confined to local travel only. On Friday, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth will issue orders under the Emergency Program Act to restrict people’s ability to leave their Health Authority. “This will be conducted through random audits, not unlike…
Read MoreRisky pandemic behaviour off the clock could mean workplace discipline: lawyers
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | April 20, 2021 CALGARY — Employment lawyers say flouting COVID-19 public health orders when off the job or coming into work while knowingly sick could warrant discipline in the workplace — including termination in the most flagrant cases. “There is a shared obligation between employers and employees to…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
April 15, 2021 The following 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: Injury to upper body Core Activity: Oil or gas pipeline construction or repair / Oil or gas…
Read MoreCOVID-19 update: WorkSafeBC supporting PHO closure order
On behalf of Chris Back, Director, OHS Consultation & Education Services Please feel free to share with your members. On Thursday April 8, 2021, the provincial health officer (PHO) announced an order delegating specific powers of the Public Health Act to WorkSafeBC prevention officers. The powers delegated to our prevention officers are limited to serving a closure…
Read More‘It is hard to put into words’: B.C. workers honoured for Construction Month
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | April 9, 2021 This year Construction and Skilled Trades Month in B.C. is all about honouring construction and trades workers who have safely kept working through the pandemic. “This is the second time we have held Construction Month during the pandemic,” said Chris Atchison, president of the BC Construction…
Read MoreBC Builders Code Online Culture Training for Construction
Are you ready to improve site and company safety, productivity, and reputation? It starts with Culture.Developing new skills takes training, and culture change is no exception. Builders Code courses are fully facilitated group sessions built by industry for industry to help improve company and worksite culture in BC’s construction sector. FOR OWNERS & EXECUTIVES: Culture…
Read MoreConstruction sector included in new WorkSafeBC hearing test submission system
Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | April 7, 2021 Constant exposure to noise generated by ongoing activity and heavy equipment that is present on construction worksites might not seem harmful at first, but it can take a toll, causing irreversible damage. Almost one quarter of noise-induced hearing loss claims processed by WorkSafeBC over the past…
Read MoreBCCSA Covid-19 Update
COVID-19 cases are currently surging in BC and additional province-wide restrictions were imposed on March 29,2021 at 11:59 pm. None of the restrictions target the construction industry. The Provincial Health Officer stronglyrecommends working from home whenever possible, and we encourage our members to follow this guidancewhere possible. See additional guidance.