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…
Read MoreExcavator 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…
Read MoreB.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…
Read MoreB.C. construction industry helps shape COVID-19 mental health toolkit
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | September 9, 2020 The BC Municipal Safety Association (BCMSA) has partnered with the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) and others to develop and roll out a free psychological support toolkit for workers and their families who may be struggling with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of…
Read MoreCBA challengers commit to fight policy following appeals court loss
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | September 2, 2020 Opponents are not giving up despite a ruling from the B.C. Court of Appeal declining to hear a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge to the province’s Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) policy. The case was brought forward by a group of construction industry advocates, including the…
Read MoreConsequential 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…
Read MoreUpdate: 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…
Read MoreBREAKING: 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…
Read MoreImprove 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,…
Read MoreMinister’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…
Read MorePatterson Report could put workers’ compensation on the road to a long-overdue rebalancing: BCFED
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. August 26, 2020 | News Release (Unceded Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam territories — Vancouver, BC) Today’s release of Janet Patterson’s report on workers’ compensation in BC is a…
Read MoreTask force unveils national COVID-19 recovery plan
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | August 25, 2020 VANCOUVER — The national Task Force for Real Jobs, Real Recovery has released a new report charting its plans for the post-pandemic economic recovery. The group, which represents over a quarter of a million businesses and over three million workers across Canada, announced the release…
Read MoreB.C. could shine amid Canada’s slow economic recovery: Conference Board
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | August 24, 2020 TORONTO — The Conference Board of Canada suggests that the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will take longer than originally expected, with British Columbia among the provinces that is best positioned to rebound. The Ottawa-based think-tank predicts Canada’s real gross domestic product will fall…
Read MoreHarry Bains: Improvements to Workers Compensation Act long overdue
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. Harry Bains | The Province | August 23, 2020 Opinion: The changes we’ve made to the WCA will recognize the complexity of mental health claims and make…
Read MoreMaking Hard Hats Optional Represents a Giant Step Backward for Safety
Please share and provide input to WorkSafeBC! WorkSafeBC is considering a troubling change to the regulation that helps to protect all workers from head injuries. The existing regulations are clear and concise: “Safety headgear must be worn by a worker in any work area where there is a danger of head injury from falling, flying…
Read MoreProposed hard hat regulation changes ‘ill-informed, irresponsible’: COCA, VRCA
Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | August 21, 2020 BC. construction employers are objecting to changes being proposed to the province’s hard hat regulations by Labour Minister Harry Bains in response to concerns raised by the Sikh community. The Council of Construction Associations (COCA) and the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) argue that relaxing the…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC appoints Jeff Parr as new chair to board of directors
DCN-JOC News Services | August 19, 2020 VANCOUVER — WorkSafeBC has appointed a new chair to its board of directors. Jeff Parr assumed the new role on Aug. 14 “following a competitive, merit-based process,” a WorkSafeBC release stated. Parr was Alberta’s deputy minister of labour from 2016 to 2019 and led a reform of labour legislation…
Read MoreBill 23 passes into law
On Friday, August 14, Bill 23 received royal assent. The new legislation, which introduces changes to the Workers Compensation Act (the Act), contains 34 provisions that include housekeeping amendments and changes relating to compensation, assessment, and occupational health and safety matters. Those changes include the following, effective immediately: Preventative health care may be provided on pending claims, if medical evidence supports that…
Read MoreNew chair appointed to WorkSafeBC’s board of directors
Victoria | Friday August 14, 2020 | Media Release A new chair has been appointed to the board of directors of WorkSafeBC. Jeff Parr, a former deputy minister in multiple provincial governments, will assume his new role effective Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, following a competitive, merit-based hiring process. His career has shown he is an…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC welcomes Jeff Parr as chair of the Board of Directors
On behalf of WorkSafeBC’s executive leadership team, I’m pleased to inform you that Jeff Parr is the new chair of our Board of Directors. Today, Minister of Labour Harry Bains announced Jeff’s appointment to the role for a two-year term, beginning immediately and running until December 1, 2022. Jeff is a former deputy minister in…
Read More