We remember the 144 workers in B.C. who lost their lives in 2016. It only takes one moment for a life to change. On May 13, 2008, Dirk, a power line technician, left for work but never made it home due to a tragic helicopter crash. For his wife, Lynne, and their children, the Day…
Read MoreMarch Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Head injury, broken ribs Core Activity: Framing or residential forming Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2017-Mar ID Number: 2017175290005 A worker was on a temporary work platform located 31 inches below the top plate of an interior wall. The worker lost his balance and fell over the top plate of the wall…
Read MoreJoint Health and Safety Committee Changes – April 3, 2017
Changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to joint health and safety committees took effect April 3, 2017. These changes include: Amendments to the mandatory minimum training requirements for health and safety committee members and worker health and safety representatives Mandatory annual evaluation of joint committee effectiveness Clarification of what participation by employer…
Read MoreGovernment to direct the creation of a policy for return of WorkSafeBC funds
On March 29, 2017, the provincial government announced proposed amendments to the Workers Compensation Act. This amendment will establish a new policy requiring WorkSafeBC to return funds to employers when they have a surplus of contributions from employers in the Accident Fund. As the enclosed news release outlines, the amendment will not affect the benefits…
Read MoreBCCSA’s silica mitigation app nears finish line
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by WARREN FREY | Mar 22, 2017 A new silica mitigation app is almost ready for prime time. Members of the Canadian Construction Association’s (CCA) Civil Infrastructure Council (CIC) were given a demonstration of the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance’s (BCCSA) mobile silica exposure mitigation application on March 18. The application will…
Read MoreYoung construction workers less likely to protect hearing
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by THE CANADIAN PRESS | Mar 28, 2017 RICHMOND, B.C. – The organization that regulates health and safety in British Columbia workplaces reports almost one in four young construction workers are not doing enough to protect against hearing loss. New data from WorkSafeBC shows 24 per cent of construction workers aged 21 or…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC investigation confirms VSB bullying took place at meetings
The Vancouver Sun | Tracy Sherlock | Published on: March 24, 2017 The bullying at the Vancouver School Board all comes down to conduct and comments made at two meetings — one a private meeting of the board on September 6 and the other the public meeting on September 26 about school closures, WorkSafeBC has…
Read MoreB.C. construction oversight organizations dealing with increased volume of work
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by PETER CAULFIELD | Mar 16, 2017 There is a multitude of diverse organizations in British Columbia that are responsible for one aspect or another of construction oversight. What they all have in common is that the province’s busy construction industry has added to their volume of inspection work. But they differ in the ways…
Read MoreNew Construction Resources
It’s Personal: A Video Discussion Guide on Bullying and Harassment in Construction –> This is a discussion guide for a series of 10 short videos that focus on various aspects of bullying and harassment in the construction industry. New data shows young construction workers less likely to wear hearing protection –> New 2016 data from WorkSafeBC…
Read MoreConstruction High Risk Strategy Available Online
The Construction High Risk Strategy (HRS) was developed through examination of claims data and identification of work activities with the highest potential for causing serious injury.
McLachlan’s advice on success: Be reasonable, relevant and a resource
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Mar 7, 2017 last update:Mar 9, 2017 Though Manley McLachlan is leaving the BC Construction Association (BCCA), he says he believes he’s leaving the organization in better shape than he found it back in 2004. “The way I have described it, with no disrespect, the organization had…
Read MoreFebruary Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Broken ribs, lacerations to upper body (1 worker); bruising (1 worker) Core Activity: Framing or residential forming Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2017-Mar ID Number: 2017175280003 Two workers at a house were pushing an exterior wall that had been lying over a floor opening. They fell through the opening to grade (about…
Read MoreSurrey firefighter’s suicide ruled work-related, benefits awarded to family
Vancouver Sun | KENT SPENCER | Published on: March 5, 2017 Encouraging news has come to the family of the late Ernie Dombrowski, a Surrey firefighter who took his own life two years ago after suffering workplace trauma. WorkSafe B.C., a provincial agency that pays compensation for employment-related injuries, has determined his death was due…
Read MoreB.C. pushes for continuous safety improvement
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by PETER CAULFIELD | Mar 6, 2017 Thirty-six years ago, on Jan. 7 1981, four workers died during the construction of the Bentall Centre in downtown Vancouver when a fly-form used for pouring concrete broke away from the top of Tower Four. Speaking on this year’s anniversary of the accident, the president…
Read MoreFamily seeks answers in working at heights death
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by SHANNON MONEO | Mar 2, 2017 The brother of a construction worker who fell 35 feet says his death was not a freak accident. “It was 100 per cent preventable,” said Joe Huetzelmann. “I’m going to try to do justice for my brother. I have family looking to me for answers….
Read MoreB.C. budget slashes taxes, builds infrastructure
Journal of Commerce | GOVERNMENT | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Feb 27, 2017 The construction industry is applauding B.C.’s 2017 budget, stating it reaps the benefits of fiscal responsibility. And it isn’t just because of money to be spent on infrastructure. New tax measures are also earning praise from industry leaders. The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of British Columbia…
Read MoreAsbestos removers’ ‘nonsense’ lawsuit against WorkSafe B.C. tossed out
Gordon Hoekstra | Vancouver Sun | Published on: March 1, 2017 A B.C. Supreme Court judge has thrown out a lawsuit by an asbestos removal company against WorkSafe B.C., labelling the suit “arrant nonsense.” It’s the fourth such lawsuit against WorkSafe B.C. launched by Mike Singh, who operates Seattle Environmental Consulting Ltd., and his son Shawn…
Read MoreChanging the conversation about workplace substance use
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by DAVE EARLE | Feb 21, 2017 Marijuana is portrayed as everything from a harmless, miracle substance to this century’s largest public and occupational health and safety risk. Employers have to decide to test or not to test, manage risk or prohibition, discipline or assist. With the federal government’s commitment…
Read MoreScott new B.C. Roadbuilders Association President
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by JOC NEWS SERVICE | Feb 16, 2017 BURNABY, B.C. – Steve Drummond Chair of the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association has announced the appointment of Kelly Scott as its new president. Scott is well known to the industry in Western Canada. He has held senior leadership…
Read MoreJanuary 2017 Recent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Fatal (1 worker); electrical injuries (1 worker) Core Activity: Siding, awning, or gutter installation, service, or repair Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2017-Feb ID Number: 2017174090003 During a gutter repair job, an aluminum extension ladder contacted overhead electrical conductors. One worker was fatally injured; another was seriously injured and was airlifted…
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