Vancouver Sun | Rob Shaw | May 23, 2020 VICTORIA — The government agency in charge of setting and enforcing the rules for reopening businesses closed by the pandemic can’t afford to help businesses buy protective equipment because it has lost almost all its $3 billion surplus in the recent stock market collapse. Labour Minister…
Read MoreShort-term extensions of Occupational First Aid Certificates
In B.C., workplace first aid attendants must have a certificate that’s recognized by WorkSafeBC. There are three levels of occupational first aid (OFA) and one OFA certificate endorsement. The level of first aid services required for a workplace depends on the number of workers, distance to medical aid, and industry hazard rating. Update: As British…
Read MorePlanned consultation on adding a presumption for infections caused by communicable viral pathogens (including COVID -19)
Published on: May 21, 2020 Further to the direction from WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD), the Policy, Regulation and Review Division (PPRD) is preparing to release a discussion paper for consultation on adding a presumption for infections caused by communicable viral pathogens (including COVID -19) on an expedited basis. The PRRD anticipates posting a discussion…
Read MoreWorkSafe BC increases inspections by 50% as businesses reopen
Victoria News | ASHLEY WADHWANI | May. 21, 2020 | BUSINESS Random inspections are to ensure businesses follow COVID-19 guidelines, requirements from health officials WorkSafe BC will focus on random inspections to ensure businesses follow health guidelines and requirements as the province enters Phase Two in its COVID-19 reopening plan. According to Labour Minister Harry…
Read MoreBCCA’s Builders Code, ‘Cool or Tool’ content goes digital
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 19, 2020 VANCOUVER — The COVID-19 crisis isn’t stopping the BC Construction Association (BCCA) from continuing its campaign against harassment, hazing and bullying on jobsites. With COVID-19 physical distancing orders in effect across the province, the association is moving its anti-harassment training online to help fight transmission of the…
Read MoreConstruction COVID-19 stimulus welcome, but details are needed
Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | May 19, 2020 National construction associations are applauding the federal government’s plan to introduce a COVID-19 funding stream from an already existing infrastructure program, but the details need to be crystal clear about what projects qualify and how the funding will be rolled out. According to a Canadian Press…
Read MoreBuilders Code Partners Cool or Tool app
The Builders Code partners are pleased to release the “Cool or Tool” culture training app for construction crews. This is an engaging and simple way to “unlearn” negative behaviours like hazing, harassment and bullying that can be disruptive and undermine site safety and productivity. No matter who you are, a construction site can be a tricky culture to…
Read MoreB.C. construction leaders back federal COVID-19 infrastructure stream
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 14, 2020 estern Canadian construction leaders are reacting positively to a new COVID-19-focused funding stream for federal infrastructure programs. Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna recently alluded to the fact the government will most likely set aside up to 10 per cent of the $33.5-billion Investing In Canada program…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC chair leaves legacy of safety
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 13, 2020 WorkSafeBC officials announced that its board chair, Ralph McGinn, has died. “It is with great sadness that we announce that Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC’s Board Chair, passed away suddenly on May 11,” said Anne Naser, WorkSafeBC president, in a statement. “This is shocking and saddening for…
Read MoreRalph McGinn
COCA received the following note on May 12, 2020: I am reaching out to share some very sad news – for our organization, for our province, and for many people, personally. Ralph McGinn, WorkSafeBC’s Board Chair, passed away suddenly yesterday afternoon. This is shocking and saddening for all of us who knew him. He was…
Read MoreReturning to operations in B.C. in a healthy and safe manner
With the announcement last week of the gradual, phased reopening of B.C. businesses, WorkSafeBC would like to provide an overview of their role in the provincial government’s Restart Plan. The attached letter from WorkSafeBC’s President and CEO, Anne Naser outlines their approach. WorkSafeBC is committed to providing all of our stakeholders with guidance and support on…
Read MoreConstruction site fever monitoring needs comprehensive program: Stakeholders
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | May 11, 2020 Forehead thermometers are popping up everywhere from the retail sector to airports as a preventative assault against spreading COVID-19 and the construction industry in Western Canada has been a fast adapter. But these devices come with caveats, industry advisers say. Melanie Gorman Ng, a research scientist…
Read MoreBC Hydro conducting fever checks on employees at Site C
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | May 11, 2020 BC Hydro has implemented COVID-19 health screening measures at its Site C construction site, said a spokesperson for the utility company in a statement. “This includes conducting temperature scans on every worker at the gate before they enter the site. This is done through the…
Read MoreAlberta greenlights roadwork to help struggling economy
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 11, 2020 EDMONTON — The Province of Alberta is putting more than 775 people to work through both direct and indirect jobs in the Fort McMurray and north central region by investing in maintenance to highways, bridges, pothole repairs and other safety measures. Funding for the projects…
Read MoreSaskatchewan unveils $7.5-billion infrastructure plan to boost economy
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 11, 2020 REGINA — Saskatchewan has announced a $7.5-billion, two-year capital plan to put people back to work and jump-start the province’s economy with infrastructure projects in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding represents a $2-billion increase over the government’s existing capital plan and the…
Read MoreB.C. starts lifting COVID 19 restrictions, gradually reopens the economy
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | May 7, 2020 VICTORIA — British Columbia has reached the point in the COVID-19 pandemic where it will start a gradual reopening of the economy while also allowing social interactions between families, friends and communities to increase. The plan to restart the province begins with certain health services,…
Read MoreCCA presses federal government on assistance, recovery stimulus
Journal of Commerce | Angela Gismondi | May 7, 2020 The Canadian Construction Association (CCA) recently made recommendations to the federal government for a COVID-19 recovery plan, but before that plan can be put into action it’s important for the Trudeau Liberals to help the industry by ensuring it’s well-positioned to do its part, said association…
Read MoreHorgan says details of plan to reopen B.C. during pandemic coming next week
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | April 30, 2020 VICTORIA — Premier John Horgan says he will outline details next week about reopening British Columbia during the COVID-19 pandemic as workers at two additional poultry processing plants were reported to have tested positive for the virus. Horgan said the reopening guidelines will be different…
Read MoreReopening Ontario after COVID-19
Learn how we’re planning to reopen businesses, services and public spaces. https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario-after-covid-19
Premier extends state of emergency but says details on reopening B.C. will be unveiled next week
Karin Larsen | CBC News | Posted: Apr 29, 2020 B.C.’s state of emergency introduced last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended until May 12. “It’s going to take resolute action from all of us to make progress and not give up progress,” said Premier John Horgan in announcing the extension. The provincial state…
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