Vancouver Sun | THE CANADIAN PRESS | Updated: December 2, 2019 A report reviewing responses by the British Columbia government and WorkSafeBC after two fatal sawmill explosions is calling for a more streamlined investigative process and new ways for workers to report safety concerns. See the full article.
Sigurdson ‘honoured’ to have represented B.C.’s building trade unions
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | November 28, 2019 The BC Building Trades’ long-time executive director, Tom Sigurdson, will be handing over his leadership role to Labour lawyer Andrew Mercier next March. Sigurdson has become one of B.C.’s most outspoken voices for the labour movement but his journey to represent trades unions began in the…
Read MoreHow to find and keep skilled workers a critical focus of B.C. associations
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | November 29, 2019 Finding, keeping and motivating a skilled and enthusiastic workforce is at the top of the of most British Columbia construction contractors’ to-do lists. Many contractors, however, are so busy that they don’t have time to give HR (human resources) matters the attention it needs, says Andrea…
Read MoreAdvocates call for B.C. to regulate asbestos removal industry
JOC News Service | November 29, 2019 VANCOUVER – Labour advocates are calling on the province to require asbestos removal companies to be licensed after a serial offender was sentenced to house arrest for exposing workers and residents to harmful materials. Insulation industry advocates say this case and others highlight the need for regulation. “The asbestos…
Read MoreIndustry Special: BCCSA’s 14th annual BC Construction Health and Safety Conference: “by and for the industry”
Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | November 25, 2019 On October 24th and 25th, 230 participants gathered in Vancouver for the 14th annual BC Construction Health and Safety Conference, presented by the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA). “Each year, we present conference topics and speakers that are curated for our attendees, based on survey feedback from…
Read MoreB.C. Building Trades announces new executive director
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | November 21, 2019 VANCOUVER – Andrew Mercier has been announced as the new executive director of the BC Building Trades. Mercier takes over Dec 2. from Tom Sigurdson, who will continue with the organization in an advisory capacity until March 2020. “I’ve been active in the unionized construction industry…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC crane conference lifts bar for safety in booming highrise construction sector
Vancouver Sun | DERRICK PENNER | November 20, 2019 Though it happened across the border, April’s collapse of a tower crane in Downtown Seattle wasn’t far from the minds of B.C.’s crane community Wednesday at a safety conference in Richmond. In that incident, crews disassembling an 85-metre-tall crane had removed too many connecting bolts too soon,…
Read MoreWorkers, contractors gather at B.C. legislature in CBA protest
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | November 20, 2019 ICTORIA – The New Democrat government’s approach to building major public projects should not involve choosing between friends and enemies, Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said. More than 100 construction workers and independent contractors were at the British Columbia legislature on Nov. 19 demanding the government drop…
Read MoreIndustry Special: Asbestos: Why risk it?
Journal of Commerce | WorkSafe BC | November 19, 2019 Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their workers, and that includes protecting them from asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was used in more than 3,000 building materials predominantly from the 1950s to 1990s. Common sources include: Vinyl and…
Read MoreB.C. stat pack shows a booming construction sector
Journal Of Commerce News Service | November 13, 2019 VANCOUVER, B.C. – The BC Construction Association’s (BCCA) latest industry statistics package, highlights a vibrant construction sector with $115 billion in projects being built and another $206 billion in various stages of planning. The stats also show that new construction companies are entering the industry, wages are…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Policy, Regulation and Research Division Announcement
The WorkSafeBC Policy, Regulation and Research Division would like to thank stakeholders for submissions on the proposed changes to the Activity-Related Soft Tissue Disorders (“ASTDs”) of the Limbs policy. The stakeholder feedback received by the Board of Directors informed its decision-making on the policy changes. Please click here for a summary of stakeholder comments. On October 23,…
Read MoreBCCA develops tool to help trades workers purchase homes
Journal Of Commerce | News Service | November 11, 2019 Vancouver, B.C. – The BC Construction Association (BCCA) is launching a new tool to help skilled employees live in the communities where they work. The non-profit is launching a mortgage investment corporation (MIC) that will help secure mortgages for skilled tradespeople, medical care providers, educators, and…
Read MoreEducation and prevention key to avoiding worksite hearing loss
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | November 7, 2019 VANCOUVER – The construction industry is hit harder by hearing loss than any other industry, but there is hope in prevention, education and mitigation. That’s the message WorkSafeBC occupational audiologist Sasha Brown brought to the BC Construction Safety Alliance’s Health and Safety conference held recently in…
Read MoreSkills Canada National Competition – May 28-29, 2020
Vancouver Convention Centre — Vancouver, BC — May 28 – 29 Open to the Public — Free Admission! Highlights: Approximately 7,500 student visitors Over 50 Try-A-Trade® and Technology activities Over 40 skill competitions representing six sectors: Construction; Employment; Information Technology; Manufacturing and Engineering; Transportation; Service Over 550 secondary and post secondary competitors from across Canada HGTV celebrities Kate Campbell and…
Read MoreMessage from Technical Safety BC
The National Research Council of Canada has launched a Public Review to provide feedback on proposed changes to Codes Canada Publications, listed below: National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC) National Fire Code of Canada 2015 (NFC) National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 (NPC) You can have your say from October 22, 2019 to December 23, 2019…
Read MoreKiewit and supervisors to face trial for worker death
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | November 1, 2019 After a decade of pressure, Peter Kiewit Sons and engineer Timothy Rule will face a trial for the 2009 death of B.C. rock scaler Samuel Fitzpatrick. The court has set aside 33 days for the case to be heard in Vancouver. It will begin in November…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. The proposed regulatory amendment packages under review are: Part 18, Traffic Control, multiple sections — Align the traffic…
Read MoreChanges to the Workers Compensation Act
The Government of B.C. has confirmed that changes to the language and numbering of the Workers Compensation Act, which they had proposed last year, will come into effect on April 6, 2020. These amendments are not substantive in content but will require WorkSafeBC, associations, and employers to update materials that reference the Act. The changes include…
Read More2019 Fall public hearings on proposed regulatory amendments
October 21, 2019 WorkSafeBC will be holding public hearings for proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation regarding: Part 8, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment, section 8.24, High visibility apparel Part 16, Mobile Equipment, with consequential amendments to 9 other Parts Part 20, Construction, Excavation and Demolition, section 20.47, Equipment inspection Part 21, Blasting Operations…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
October 15, 2019 These summaries of selected Construction work-related incidents recently reported to WorkSafeBC may help you to prevent similar incidents. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Multiple injuries, temporary loss of consciousness Core Activity: Masonry Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2019-Sep A worker was on a 3-foot-high work platform, installing overhead masonry brick around an elevator shaft….
Read More