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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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….

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The British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) has issued a Consultation Paper on the Builders Lien Act and is seeking responses from all sectors of the BC construction industry and other stakeholders concerning reform of the Act.  You can read more about the Builders Lien Act review here. This is not normally something that COCA would comment on…

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Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | September 30, 2019 The Northern Regional Construction Association (NRCA) in Prince George, B.C., is taking aim at bullying and harassment in the workplace. Five free workshops are being held in various regions across the northern part off the province in October to educate company owners, executives and human…

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The 2019 BC Construction Health & Safety Conference (formerly known as Bridging the Gap) will be held on October 24th and 25th.  This year’s conference is not to be missed as there is another strong speaker line up and NEW venue, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. LEARN ABOUT: Practical strategies to improve emotional intelligence and leverage it to build…

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September 24, 2019 WorkSafeBC is holding public hearing sessions for proposed amendments to the definition of “fire department” in Part 31, Firefighting, section 31.1 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the OHS Regulation). The public hearing sessions will also cover proposed consequential amendments to the OHS Regulation and the Lower Maximum Administrative Penalties Regulation needed as a result of the statutory…

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Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | September 24, 2019 The new Certified Concrete Pump Operator (CCPO) proficiency certification is now being offered by the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) — the first certification of its kind in North America. While the program is being delivered through BCCSA, its creation was part of a vigorous collaboration…

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Journal of Commerce | News Service | September 25, 2019 VANCOUVER – WorkSafeBC is educating the public about asbestos risk for pre-1990s homes. The agency is urging homeowners to notify their contractor before starting renovations or a demolition. Asbestos may not always be easy to spot. It is used in 3,000 common building materials, including…

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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. Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey  | September 23, 2019 B.C. construction association is heating up the rhetoric around already controversial public infrastructure agreements. The Progressive Contractors…

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