December 1, 2014 At it’s October 2014 meeting, WorksafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) High Risk Policy (D12?196?2). The amendments became effective on December 1, 2014. The Board of Directors’ resolution is available for reference. The amendments establish six designated high risk violations and simplify the criteria for…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan — Implementation
In July 2014, WorkSafeBC accepted the WorkSafeBC Review and Action Plan that had been prepared by Gordon Macatee and which outlines 43 recommendations relating to occupational health and safety inspections and investigations at WorkSafeBC. The Implementation Status Report is designed to provide updates on the progress and implementation of the recommendations. December 9, 2014 –…
Read MoreOctober and November 2014 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Fractured skull and arm Core Activity: Tower crane operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Nov ID Number: 2014122700068 A tower crane operator crawled through the crane mast onto an unsupported filler piece on the deck and fell about 3 m (10 ft.) to the floor below. Injury Type: Close call Core Activity:…
Read MoreView from the Board: Crossroads for worker compensation
Journal of Commerce by DAVE BASPALY Nov 6, 2014 After years of stability and progress, WorkSafeBC faces serious challenges. WorkSafe BC President/CEO David Anderson retired in June, 2014, and four of the seven WorkSafeBC board of directors will leave in early 2015, their terms having expired. The coming 12 months will see major changes in the leadership…
Read MoreOctober 2014 WorkSafeBC Board Decisions – Dividends and OH&S Reg Changes
WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors make policy and regulation decisions that affect the workers and employers of British Columbia. For example, the decisions can affect the assessment rates an employer pays, or the level of benefits a worker receives. Policy and regulation decisions made by WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors at their October 2014 meeting include: Repealing…
Read MoreStakeholder Feedback on Prior Discussion Papers
Stakeholder feedback provided to WorkSafeBC in 2014 include: Compensation of Principals – Shareholder Dividends (PDF 126kb) 2014 – 2016 Compensation, Occupational Disease and Assessments Policy Priorities Workplan (PDF 83kb) Primary Skin Cancer and Certain Occupational Exposures (PDF 163kb)
October Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
The following work related incidents were reported to WorkSafeBC in October 2014: Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Structural concrete forming / Highrise construction Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2014-Oct ID Number: 2014163750086 During flyform stripping, an unsecured piece of 3/4-inch plywood (filler) measuring 2 feet by 5.5 feet fell from the 25th floor….
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 MoreInjured sawmill explosion workers cry foul over WorkSafe BC treatment
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 More