Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | January 4, 2021 Despite construction work volume declines, wages and skilled trades worker shortages remain high in B.C., data from the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) shows. The group released its annual Wages and Benefits Survey which collected responses from roughly 1,000 construction businesses from across the province….
Read MoreCOVID, jobsite fatalities a strong reminder to look out for each other
Journal of Commerce | Vince Versace | December 31, 2020 Did you hear about that virus? I remember being asked that question in mid-January of this year and my response was vague for a newshound like me. Sure, I had heard about it, but it seemed a world away, something that was happening in Wuhan, China….
Read More2020 Year in Review Timeline: B.C. construction wades through uncharted waters with COVID-19
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 23, 2020 VICTORIA — There’s no disputing the fact that 2020 was a year like no other for the construction industry in Canada and across the globe. The industry was faced with many difficult decisions as the year progressed, from completely changing day-to-day site protocols, to wondering…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
December 21, 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: Multiple fractures (1 worker) Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction / Low slope roofing…
Read MoreNorthern Health declares COVID-19 outbreak among Coastal GasLink pipeline workers
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | December 21, 2020 BURNS LAKE, B.C. — Northern Health has issued an order limiting work at two sites related to the Coastal GasLink pipeline project while declaring an outbreak of COVID-19. In a statement posted online Sunday (Dec. 20), the health authority says 17 cases remain active at…
Read More‘Systemic non-compliance’ of COVID-19 rules at Trans Mountain sites: CER
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | December 21, 2020 Documents from a Canada Energy Regulator (CER) inspector following visits to Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project jobsites in the Lower Mainland have revealed “systemic non-compliance” of COVID-19 protocols. In the report, the inspector told those in charge to temporarily shut down the site so the entire…
Read MoreCOVID-19 vaccine gives big boost to global and national outlooks
Journal of Commerce | John Clinkard | December 22, 2020 It would be difficult to imagine a series of horrific events that could match the negative impacts that COVID-19 has had on global economic activity during the year just ending. That said, from our perspective, the announcement of the delivery of several very effective COVID-19 vaccines,…
Read MoreCOVID-19 outbreak declared at Teck Mining project sites
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 18, 2020 ELKFORD, B.C. — The COVID-19 virus has spread to Teck mining operations near Elkford, B.C. Interior Health announced that the outbreak has 27 confirmed cases across three sites operated by Teck Mining impacting B.C. and out-of-province residents. Here are the sites. Fording River Operations: eight…
Read MoreTrans Mountain shuts down pipeline expansion project until Jan. 4 to address worker safety
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | December 17, 2020 BURNABY, B.C. – Trans Mountain says it is shutting down construction on its pipeline expansion project until early January for safety reasons. Officials from the company and the Canada Energy Regulator said Wednesday that a contractor was seriously injured a day earlier at the site…
Read MoreBC Construction Association developing guidelines for construction management
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | December 18, 2020 The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is in the process of developing a set of guidelines for the construction management (CM) method of project delivery. BCCA president Chris Atchison and VP of industry standard practices Warren Perks say the guidelines will outline the best ways to…
Read MoreProvince expands COVID-19 enforcement measures
Office of the Premier | December 16, 2020 The Province is expanding provincial COVID-19 ticket enforcement and workplace safety measures to keep British Columbians safe, as well as mitigate the effects on health-care systems, communities and the economy in the ongoing government response to COVID-19. “While I’m pleased to report that vaccinations in B.C. have…
Read MoreHappy Holidays from COCA!
We extend a special greeting to express our sincere appreciation for your confidence over the past year and your collective commitment to safety. 2020 has been an unprecedented year for COCA and the construction sector as a whole. The global pandemic that is affecting our communities and work sites is perhaps the greatest challenge of…
Read MoreLatest COVID-19 updates
The provincial health officer (PHO) has issued a province-wide order that affects all employers, and includes additional requirements for specific industries and sectors. WorkSafeBC has updated the information and resources as of December 14 to reflect the latest updates to the order. Masks are required in many indoor public setting and all retail stores: Details of mask requirements and new…
Read MoreBCCA announces Builders Code Champions
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 16, 2020 VICTORIA — The British Columbia Construction Association’s (BCCA) Builders Code program has unveiled its Builders Code Champion Award winners. The awards go to program participants who demonstrate leadership in creating an inclusive, positive work culture in the B.C. construction industry. The Builders Code, which was…
Read MoreContractor seriously injured at Trans Mountain site in B.C., construction stopped
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | December 16, 2020 BURNABY, B.C. – The Canada Energy Regulator says a contractor was seriously injured Tuesday (Dec. 15) at a Trans Mountain construction site in British Columbia. Chief executive officer Gitane De Silva says in a statement Wednesday that her thoughts are with the person who was…
Read MoreCan B.C. employers force employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine?
CTV News | Shannon Paterson | December 2, 2020 VANCOUVER — With many British Columbians still working remotely, employers are likely counting on the COVID-19 vaccine to get people safely back to the office. “I expect that is top-of-mind based on the conversations I’ve had with many employers to date,” said employment lawyer Amy Frankel,…
Read MoreBuilders Code 2020 Award Winners
Victoria, B.C. (December 14, 2020) – The Builders Code is honouring six employers with Builders Code Champion Awards for leading the way in advancing the culture of BC’s industrial, commercial, and institutional construction sector. Their efforts have contributed to an increase in the participation of women in BC’s construction trades from 4.6 to 6 per cent…
Read MorePolicy, Regulation and Research Division Announcement
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division of WorkSafeBC (PRRD) would like to advise you of policy changes reflecting legislative amendments to the Workers Compensation Act (Act) coming into effect on January 1, 2021. On August 14, 2020, the Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2020(Bill 23) came into effect. Under Bill 23, 34 legislative amendments were made to the Act. Two of these legislative amendments concern permanent partial disability…
Read MoreBC Housing Building Smart Sessions in January
Improved Earthquake Performance and Resilience for New Buildings – Tuesday January 12th, 9 to noon BC Housing is offering a 3-hour webinar on January 12, 2021 from 9 am – 12 noon PDT entitled Building Smart: Improved Earthquake Performance and Resilience for New Buildings. This webinar addresses regulatory measures and processes for improving seismic resilience that…
Read MoreResearch reveals how airflow inside a car may affect COVID-19 transmission risk
Science Daily | December 5, 2020 A new study uses computer simulations to track airflows inside a car’s passenger cabin, providing potential strategies — some of them counterintuitive — for reducing the risk of transmitting airborne diseases. Read on.