WorkSafeBC announces that the average base rate for 2019 is maintained at the same level as 2018, at 1.55% of employers’ assessable payroll. Lower claims costs and strong investment returns have enabled WorkSafeBC to keep the average rate flat for 2019. Together with worker and employer stakeholders, WorkSafe BC is working to reduce serious injuries…
Read MoreProposed Surveillance Policy – Feedback Requested
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 April 2018 and contains a number of recommendations. Recommendation #41 is for WorkSafeBC to consider implementing a policy for the appropriate use of video surveillance. The…
Read MoreConstruction safety includes suicide prevention
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | October 31, 2018 The construction industry is starting to look at a hidden problem with deadly consequences. Donna Grant, a marketing manager at Scott Construction, addressed the issue of suicide for attendees of the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance’s (BCCSA) Bridging the Gap safety conference on Oct. 26 in Vancouver….
Read MoreIndustry Voices Op-Ed: COCA stresses importance of hard hat protection
Journal of Commerce | Dave Baspaly | October 25, 2018 *** Video Link Fixed *** The Internet has many graphic examples of what happens when a construction tool or other object is dropped from a height onto a watermelon. Several videos illustrate this all too well. Here is an example from YouTube on the fate of two…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC launches impairment awareness campaign
Journal of Commerce | News Service | October 19, 2018 VICTORIA — With recreational cannabis use legal as of Oct. 17, WorkSafeBC is launching an awareness campaign about workplace impairment for both employers and employees. WorkSafeBC has created a guide for managing workplace impairment and developing policy around the issue. A toolbox meeting guide is also available…
Read MoreResources for employers on workplace impairment
Workplace impairment means being unfit to safely perform work. This toolbox meeting guide supports employers in speaking to workers about the causes of impairment and responsibilities for effectively managing it in the workplace. Toolbox meeting guide: Substance use and workplace impairment Guide to managing workplace impairment and developing an impairment policy
Are you ready for the legalization of cannabis?
Journal of Commerce | News Service | October 17, 2018 VANCOUVER — Uncertainty continues to swirl around the legalization of cannabis and how exactly it will be rolled out across Canada. With today marking the official day of legalization, the Journal of Commerce has compiled a list of prominent themes and suggestions that were made in…
Read MoreSafety Differently…Culture Leadership Masterclass
This is a reminder that there is only 2 weeks left until the Culture Leadership Masterclass with Dr. Rob Long here in Vancouver. This is designed as a ‘small-group’ workshop to maximize value for attendees, and as such only a few seats remain available. If you are interested in deepening your understanding of organizational culture…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC raising awareness about impairment in the workplace
Richmond, B.C. (Oct. 16, 2018) — WorkSafeBC is launching an awareness campaign to educate employers and workers about impairment in the workplace, as the legalization of recreational cannabis takes effect October 17. “Impairment in the workplace isn’t a new issue in B.C., but it’s become top of mind as cannabis becomes legal for recreational use,”…
Read MoreBridging the Gap Construction Safety Conference – October 25/26
It’s that time of year again, with the 13th Annual Bridging the Gap Construction Safety Conference happening October 25/26 in Vancouver. This year’s conference theme…Preparing for Tomorrow…The Future of Health & Safety in Construction. We kick things off with keynote speaker Terry O’Reilly, of CBC’s Radio’s Under the Influence (https://www.cbc.ca/radio/undertheinfluence), who will inspire and help…
Read MoreVideo – Dealing with the use of Recreational Cannabis in Safety-Sensitive Workplaces
Patrick Delaney of the Petroleum Services Association of Canada has advised me that PSAC has produced a video dealing with the use of recreational cannabis in safety-sensitive workplaces. You can see it here. You are free to use the video as you wish with the proviso that you do not remove the disclaimer at the…
Read MoreSeptember 2018 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
October 10, 2018 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: Fractured hand Core Activity: Concrete reinforcing Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2018-Sep ID Number: 2018155400032 A worker carrying an acetylene bottle (weighing 40 pounds) tripped and fell…
Read MoreSection 55 and Mental Disorder Claims – Stakeholder Feedback
Section 55 of the Workers Compensation Act sets out the limitation period for filing an application for compensation. It states that no compensation is payable unless an application is filed, or an adjudication made, within one year after the date of injury, death, or disablement from an occupational disease. The Policy, Regulation and Research Division…
Read MoreUBC’s 2018 COR Research Brief Available
The Research Brief “An audit-based occupation health and safety recognition program: Does certification lead to lower firm work-injury rates?” has been posted on UBC’s website for public distribution. The analysis has been updated and extended in this Research Brief by examining two additional years of data (i.e. 2015 and 2016).
September 2018 Work-related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
September 25, 2018 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: Lacerated finger Core Activity: Blasting or avalanche control / Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2018-Sep ID Number:…
Read MoreAlberta Construction Association opposes WCB Accident Fund proposal
Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | September 26, 2018 The Alberta Construction Association (ACA) is opposing a proposal by the provincial Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) to split its present Accident Fund into two distinct and segregated components. The ACA, which represents about 3,000 firms across Alberta’s construction industry, contends such a move could, in the end,…
Read MoreB.C. industry stakeholders get ready for legal marijuana
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | September 26, 2018 With only a few weeks to go, the construction industry is getting ready for the legalization of marijuana. On Oct. 17 recreational marijuana will be legal across Canada, and British Columbia’s construction and safety stakeholders are preparing employers and workers for a new, yet familiar situation….
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Public Hearing on Electronic Detonators
WorkSafeBC is holding public hearings on the proposed amendments to Part 21 of the OHS Regulation relating to electronic detonators. Feedback can be provided in writing (through the website) or in person. Please see the links below for more information. Hearing dates and locations: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/public-hearings-consultations/current-public-hearings-and-consultations/2018-public-hearings-proposed-regulatory-amendments/public-hearing-details Proposed amendments with explanatory notes and feedback deadline:…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Public Hearings on Concrete Formwork
WorkSafeBC is holding public hearings on the proposed amendments to Part 20 of the OHS Regulation relating to concrete formwork. Feedback can be provided in writing (through the website) or in person. Please see the links below for more information. Hearing dates and locations: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/public-hearings-consultations/current-public-hearings-and-consultations/2018-public-hearings-proposed-regulatory-amendments/public-hearing-details Proposed amendments with explanatory notes and feedback deadline:…
Read More2018 Bridging the Gap Registration
This year’s conference theme is “Preparing for Tomorrow: The Future of Health and Safety in Construction.” Network with peers while learning about health and safety issues in the construction industry. Register now.