Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 10, 2019 A panel of mental health experts took a hard look at the emotional landscape of the industry and its workers recently at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s Construction Leadership Forum in Whistler, B.C. WorkSafeBC senior manager in industry and labour services Trudi Rondou, Construction Industry…
Read MoreLaird Cronk: Labour law changes help restore fairness and balance
For information only and not an endorsement – this article is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. The Province | Laird Cronk | May 13, 2019 | Opinion Proposed changes to B.C. labour laws will make a real difference for workers, particularly the most…
Read MoreB.C. VIEWS: Welcome to the union ‘battle zone’ for pipeline construction
NDP labour code sets conditions to push independent unions out For information only and not an endorsement – this article is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. TOM FLETCHER | May. 12, 2019 8:50 a.m. | Opinion | Terrace Standard One of the big…
Read MoreRCMP steps up traffic enforcement in support of roadside-worker safety
WorkSafe BC News Release Over the last 10 years, 13 roadside workers died and 213 were injured Richmond, B.C. (May 13, 2019) — The RCMP Lower Mainland District Integrated Road Safety Unit is partnering with the Work Zone Safety Alliance and WorkSafeBC to raise awareness about the risks workers face while working on or alongside the…
Read MoreVocational rehabilitation and cost relief
In January 2018, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors commissioned an external compensation policy review. The resulting report, entitled Restoring the Balance: A Worker-Centred Approach to Workers’ Compensation Policy, was published in April 2018 and contains a number of recommendations. Recommendations #5 through #15 propose amendments to WorkSafeBC’s Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) policies, and recommendations #16 and #19 propose amendments…
Read MoreTower Crane Communication
From WorkSafeBC On Saturday April 27th, 2019, a tower crane being dismantled in Seattle’s core collapsed onto a public street. Tragically, four people were killed and more were injured. This event is a stark reminder of catastrophic risk and devastating consequences when something goes wrong involving a tower crane. As the Washington State authorities deal…
Read MoreSleep expert appeals to industry to address workplace fatigue
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 8, 2019 WHISTLER, B.C. – A sleep expert is appealing to companies of all sizes to make workforce sleep habits a top priority. Solaris Fatigue Management president Mike Harnett presented “Eyes Wide Shut: We Don’t Have a Fatigue Problem” recently at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s Construction Leadership…
Read More2019 – 2021 Policy Workplans
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division of WorkSafeBC would like to thank all participating stakeholders for their submissions on the 2019 – 2021 Policy Workplans. To review the full record of stakeholder submissions, please select the link HERE. On April 10, 2019 the Board of Directors accepted the 2019 – 2021 Policy Workplans. To review the workplans…
Read MoreB.C. Labour Code changes see mixed industry reaction
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 6, 2019 Proposed changes to British Columbia’s labour code are drawing both praise and criticism from the industry. B.C. minister of labour Harry Bains announced on April 30 that changes to the province’s Labour Relations Code would go forward based on the recommendations of an independent review…
Read MorePCA calls for B.C. to scrap proposed annual unionization drive
Journal Of Commerce News Service | May 6, 2019 VICTORIA, B.C. – The president of a prominent construction association is voicing his opposition to a proposed change to B.C’s labour code, stating it will disrupt construction during the busiest time of the year. Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA) president Paul de Jong says the…
Read MoreCSSE LMC Professional Development – John Green Workshop ~ June 20th
Safety management has traditionally focussed on the elimination of negative outcomes (incidents, injuries, errors, malfunctions). While this approach has led to significant improvements, it has also produced several problematic side effects: disengagement and disempowerment of people, increasing bureaucracy, loss of innovation and productivity. Furthermore, many organizations now struggle with plateauing safety records. Some industries even…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
The draft proposed amendments to three sections of the OHS Regulation are now posted online for public consultation. Feedback can be provided through this link until June 14. Proposed regulatory amendment packages under review: Part 8, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment, section 8.24, High visibility apparel Part 20, Construction, Excavation and Demolition, section 20.47, Equipment…
Read MoreBCCA Response to Proposed Labour Code and Employment Standards Legislation
BCCA Website | May 1, 2019 The BCCA is a non-partisan association representing BC’s construction industry. We advocate for the competitive success of all employers, regardless of labour affiliation, and seek a fair and balanced approach from government in regard to decisions that greatly impact our industry. We are pleased that Minister Bains accepted Labour…
Read MoreB.C. Marks Day of Mourning
Journal of Commerce | April 30, 2019 WORKSAFEBC – Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services officers act as honour guards for the Day of Mourning, held in Vancouver on April 28 to commemorate those who passed away in the workplace. On April 28, British Columbians remembered those who lost their lives while at work at Day of…
Read MoreIndustry Voices Op-Ed: Providing inclusive workplaces helps all skilled trades: Langevin
Journal of Commerce | Lisa Langevin | May 1, 2019 For information only and not an endorsement – this article is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. Recruiting women into the skilled trades has become a little easier over the years, but providing workplaces…
Read MoreApril work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
May 1, 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: Close call Core Activity: Crane operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2019-Apr A worker slewing a tower crane inadvertently dragged chain sling rigging onto the rooftop structures of two buildings on an…
Read MoreB.C. NDP government updates labour rules, scrapping Liberal measures
The changes were recommended by the B.C. Federation of Labour, which has been heavily lobbying NDP and Green MLAs to roll back labour code changes made by the previous Liberal government in the early 2000s. Vancouver Sun | ROB SHAW |Updated: April 29, 2019 VICTORIA — B.C.’s New Democrat government has introduced changes to labour…
Read MoreExperts: Missing pins possibly caused Seattle crane collapse
The collapse killed two ironworkers on the crane and two people in cars — a retired city employee and a college freshman. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Updated: April 29, 2019 SEATTLE — It appears workers who were disassembling a construction crane had prematurely removed pins securing the sections of the crane’s mast to each other,…
Read MoreNew review of worker safety underway seven years after B.C. mill explosions
‘They’ll never be the same, ever. Many have injuries they won’t ever recover from and it was awful. The system just simply failed them.’ THE CANADIAN PRESS | Updated: April 30, 2019 The union representing four workers who died in two B.C. sawmill explosions in 2012 says it hopes a new review of worker safety…
Read MoreHousekeeping amendments to the Assessment Manual
The Workers Compensation Act (Act) is being reviewed by British Columbia’s Office of the Legislative Counsel as part of a standard statute revision process. Changes made pursuant to the Statute Revision Act will result in editorial changes to language, as well as renumbering of sections, parts, and divisions of the Act. At issue is the consequential housekeeping revisions required…
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