Please see the concerning Globe & Mail article from October 23, 2014. Link to the story on the Globe & Mail website or read the story here.
September Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Paving services or asphalt manufacture Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Oct ID Number: 2014161480080 A 2-inch gas line was punctured by a metal stake that a worker drove into the ground to secure a section of curb formwork. When the stake was pulled out, a gas leak occurred….
Read MoreConsultation on the 2015 — 2017 Compensation, Occupational Disease and Assessment Policy Priorities Workplan
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division has prepared a draft 2015 – 2017 Compensation, Occupational Disease and Assessment Policy Priorities Workplan for stakeholder review and comment. Stakeholders are invited to review the discussion paper and proposed workplan, and to provide feedback by November 14, 2014. COCA will be drafting a response for circulation and submission…
Read MoreIssuing Orders to Workers: The Decision Process
WorkSafeBC has issued a bulletin outlining the decision process for orders to workers. It can be found online HERE and printed HERE. Prevention policy provides that all parties with duties under the Workers Compensation Act (the Act) may be able to affect the health and safety of persons at or near a workplace. While the employer has the…
Read MoreBurns Lake Wood Pellet Mill Explosion
One man suffered third degree burns and two other employees were injured in an explosion at a wood pellet plant in Burns Lake on Thursday October 9th, 2014. Leroy Reitsma, president of Pinnacle Renewable Energy plant said a “fire-related incident” happened at the Burns Lake mill, located on Highway 16 east of Burns Lake, at…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Tools for Employers
Visit the Industry Safety Information Centre, where you can create charts to see your injury prevention activities, accepted injury/illness claims, and changes to your industry size. The Employer Safety Planning Tool Kit is a suite of interactive tools that enables Employers to learn about the injuries and claims that impact their safety performance. It allows…
Read MoreRecent Work Related Incidents – Construction – July & August 2014
Injury Type: Bruised lower body and legs Core Activity: Asphalt rolling Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2014-Aug ID Number: 2014173520031 A worker was operating a small asphalt roller on a 12 percent slope, making a right turn near the left edge, when the roller tipped over. The operator jumped out of the roller as…
Read MoreWorkSafe Bulletin – European Fire Ants
European fire ants were first seen in British Columbia in 2010. Since then, they have been found in the Lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, and southern Vancouver Island. Their nests are found in moist, shaded places such as lawns and grassy areas, under decaying logs, and in yard waste and potted plants. Because these ants…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Bulletin – The Dangers of Cross Boring
WorkSafeBC has recently released two bulletins on the dangers of cross bores when clearing sewer lines. Cross bores can be a serious threat to the safety of workers or the public if a gas line in a cross bore is inadvertently broken. Before excavating or drilling with powered tools or equipment, contact BC One Call…
Read MoreNew OHS Guideline G16.17 ~ Alternate means of escape
A new OHS Guideline has been posted on the WorkSafeBC regarding the purpose-built window-breaking devices for mobile equipment egress. This guideline describes when a purpose-built window breaking device may meet the requirements of section 16.17 of the Regulation. Find the Guideline here –> G16.17 Alternate means of escape – Purpose-built window breaking device The Guideline…
Read MoreNew hard hat standard up for discussion
Journal of Commerce, IAN HARVEY Aug 14, 2014 The ubiquitous hard hat, a mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) will see some incremental design changes, said Dave Shanahan Project Manager at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). “The next edition of the standard will be published early in 2015 as CSA Z94.1-15,” he said. It will replace the 2005…
Read More2014 Construction Safety Conference – Bridging the Gap
The 9th annual Bridging the Gap conference is a two-day conference on safety in the construction industry. The all plenary sessions will include on site safety responsibilities and supervision, occupational disease prevention (asbestos and silica), alternatives to ladders, MSI prevention and return to work, traffic control and mobile equipment, and more. Where? Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel,…
Read More2015 Preliminary Rates
The preliminary assessment rates for 2015 have been announced by WorkSafeBC. (The rates are described as preliminary as have not yet been approved by the WorkSafeBC Board of Directors. Approval is expected by October 2014.) The preliminary rates normally become the actual rates. The Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Classification Unit (CU) has decreased by 4.7%…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC imposes penalty and claims cost levy against Lakeland Mills Ltd.
WorkSafeBC has issued orders that include the imposition of an administrative penalty and a claims cost levy against Lakeland Mills Ltd., located in Prince George. On April 23, 2012, at approximately 9:30 p.m. there was a fire and explosion at the Lakeland Mills sawmill at 1385 River Road. The northeast corner of the sawmill exploded…
Read MoreConstruction work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC – June/July 2014
CONSTRUCTION Injury Type: Puncture wounds to leg Core Activity: Framing or residential forming Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2014-Jul ID Number: 2014110750110 While using a nail gun, a worker discharged two nails into his leg. Injury Type: Head laceration Core Activity: House framing Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Jul ID Number:…
Read MoreProfessional Development Opportunity – A Day with Sidney Dekker
What: Safety: A bureaucratic responsibility up, or an ethical responsibility down? When: Friday, September 19, 2014 ~ 8 am to 4 pm Where: Vancouver Convention Centre West Hosted by The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering Lower Mainland Chapter… Register Online here. TOPICS COVERED A case example to think about safety, justice, trust and culture What…
Read MoreChanges to OHS Regulation – June 24, 2014
Many sections of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and Workers Compensation Act (“Act“) have associated guidelines. Guidelines are intended to assist with providing ways of complying with the legislation, not to provide exclusive interpretations. Guidelines generally provide information on administrative matters and on technical matters not already addressed by policy. Periodically, guidelines are updated and new ones added….
Read MoreNew WorkSafeBC Investigation Reports – Construction
WorkSafeBC has posted reports that are intended to help employers and workers understand the causes and underlying factors that contribute to workplace accidents. This information may help you prevent similar accidents in your workplace. Worker struck as utility pole is lifted onto truck – December 2012 Two workers suffered serious electrical burns in contact with high-voltage conductor –…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan Report Released
On April 14, 2014, the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Shirley Bond, announced that the chair and board of WorkSafeBC agreed to appoint Gordon Macatee as Administrator of WorkSafeBC in order to drive an agenda of change. The focus of the Report is on Occupational Health & Safety inspections and investigations. The Macatee Report is…
Read MoreVancouver Sun on WorkSafeBC and Preparing Cases for Court
WorkSafeBC has little recent experience preparing cases for court Agency has been under criticism for bungled sawmill explosion investigations By Gord Hoekstra ~ July 3, 2014 WorkSafeBC has successfully laid regulatory charges in court in only three workplace safety cases since 1999, The Vancouver Sun has learned. It is a marked departure from a five-year period in…
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