Last year Technical Safety BC, in collaboration with others like WorkSafeBC, conducted original mixed methods research to identify and uncover some of the behavioural and sociocultural factors involved in electric shock risk within the province of BC. A few highlights from our findings: 95% of survey respondents have experienced electric shock 97% minor shock (i.e.,…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC plans to tighten fall protection enforcement
Journal of Commerce | JOC News Service | March 15, 2019 VANCOUVER — British Columbia’s safety regulatory body recently announced, as part of its high-risk construction strategy, it will increase enforcement efforts for fall-protection-system anchors used in the residential wood-frame construction industry. Worksite inspections will focus on the health and safety responsibilities of prime contractors…
Read MoreBuildForce Canada promotes Respectful Workplace Policy Framework and Implementation Guide
VRCA | By David Weir|March 11th, 2019|In The News Companies looking to develop a respectful and inclusive workplace can also access a guide developed by BuildForce Canada. The Respectful Workplace Policy Framework and Implementation Guide are part of the BuildForce Canada Respectful and Inclusive Workplace Toolkit that also includes the Online Self-Assessment Tool to enable organizations to assess…
Read MoreB.C. construction industry introduces worksite conduct standards to improve worker retention
VRCA | By David Weir|March 11th, 2019|In The News The Province of B.C. and the BC Construction Association (BCCA) marked International Women’s Day on March 8 with the launch of the Builders Code, a comprehensive program that aims to address B.C.’s skilled labour shortage by reducing harassment, bullying and hazing on construction worksites. The Builders…
Read MoreSaskatchewan workplace fatalities, injuries up in 2018: WCB report
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | March 19, 2019 REGINA — Figures from the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board show the number of jobsite fatalities in the province in 2018 rose 78 per cent from the previous year. The figures indicate 48 people lost their lives last year, compared to 27 the year before….
Read MoreWorkSafeBC breaks down the basics at Cloverdale Construction Expo
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | March 18, 2019 Lower Mainland construction companies covered the gamut from fall protection to harmful materials at a recent safety seminar. WorkSafeBC occupational safety officer Sandeep Mangat detailed best practices and “good to know” facts to attendees at the fourth annual Construction Expo in Cloverdale, B.C. Mangat stressed…
Read MoreVirtual reality puts crane operators in the air without actually being there
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | March 11, 2019 In Alberta, aspiring crane operators are being taught how to operate their machinery with the help of virtual reality (VR) simulators that owe a lot to video game software. Serious Labs, an Edmonton-based software company, has partnered with Industrial Training International Inc. (ITI), a U.S….
Read MoreB.C.’s construction industry launches code of conduct on International Women’s Day
VANCOUVER – A new initiative called the Builders Code aims to retain more women in the construction trades by creating a supportive, inclusive work environment that works for everyone. A key goal is to have women make up 10% of B.C.s construction trades by 2028, a standard not yet reached by any province in Canada….
Read MoreMitigating disaster: BCCSA’s Fire & Flood Restoration Program Technical Advisory Committee gives a voice to specialty contractors
Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | March 5, 2019 Imagine arriving at a construction project and finding that a truck has crashed through the front entrance, the lobby was recently on fire and the basement is full of sewage. It’s all in a day’s work for British Columbia’s 140 fire and flood restoration contractors, who…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC adds focus on fall protection to its high-risk strategy for construction
Richmond, B.C. (March 7, 2019) — As part of its high-risk strategy for construction, WorkSafeBC has announced it is increasing enforcement efforts on fall-protection-system anchors used in the residential wood-frame construction industry. Worksite inspections will also focus on the health and safety responsibilities of prime contractors to ensure they have established and maintained a system or process…
Read MoreAnti-CBA forces take concerns and lawsuit to B.C. Supreme Court
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. Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | March 4, 2019 Several construction industry stakeholders are taking their opposition to community benefits agreements (CBAs) to the Supreme Court…
Read MoreFamulak: Pattullo Bridge labour agreement robs Peter to pay Paul
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 Op Ed| Fiona Famulak | Published: February 23, 2019 “The project labour agreement will not grow our workforce. Instead, it will move skilled workers from…
Read MorePermanent Disability Evaluation Schedule (PDES) 2018 Review
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper on the PDES 2018 Review with options and draft policies to stakeholders for comment. The PDES is a guide set out in policy to assist in the calculation of permanent disability awards. As medical and scientific methods and approaches to disability assessment change over…
Read MoreCBA panel featuring views from all sides lays it on the line at Buildex
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. Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | February 26, 2019 After months of sparring in the press, some of B.C.’s largest construction organizations, unions and government officials…
Read MoreVoices Op-Ed: Reducing the risk of serious injury within the construction industry
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. Journal of Commerce | WorkSafeBC | February 22, 2019 In B.C., about 160,000 workers earn their living in the construction industry, with sectors including general construction, heavy construction…
Read MoreIndustry Voices Op-Ed: Streu’s assertions on CBAs ‘hard to swallow’
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. Journal of Commerce | Doug Parton | February 20, 2019 Industry Voices Op-Ed columns reflect the opinion of the author and not that of ConstructConnect’s Journal of Commerce,…
Read MoreJanuary 2019 work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
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: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2019-Feb As two workers were changing a propane cylinder powering a space heater, the new cylinder began…
Read MoreIndustry Voices Op-Ed: Community Benefits Agreements are an NDP lie
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. Journal of Commerce | Norm Streu | February 14, 2019 Industry Voices Op-Ed columns reflect the opinion of the author and not that of ConstructConnect’s Journal of Commerce,…
Read MoreBoard of Directors approves amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
At its January 2019 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. In addition, the Board of Directors approved consequential changes to Policy Item R26.17-1 of the Prevention Manual as a result of the amendment to Part 20 of the Regulation. These amendments will become effective on June 3, 2019. Strikethrough versions of…
Read MoreConstruction Community Tackles Mental Health from Many Angles
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. Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | February 13, 2019 British Columbia’s construction industry is looking to help heal its workers beyond the realm of physical injury. Mental…
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