Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | July 2, 2025 VICTORIA — The report and recommendations of the 2024 Labour Relations Code Review Panel are now posted publicly for review and feedback. The report has been posted on the govTogetherBC website where people can share their views on how B.C.’s labour relations laws should be updated, explains a release….
Read MoreB.C. providing more opioid-free pain management supports for construction workers
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | July 4, 2025 VICTORIA — The Province of B.C. is providing support for two pain clinics in Burnaby and Langford that are meant to give more opioid-free pain management options for construction workers. “People in the construction industry need specialized supports with mental-health and substance-use challenges,” said Josie…
Read MoreWill the City of Vancouver’s recent changes spur new housing construction?
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caufield | July 4, 2025 Vancouver City Council recently approved initiatives it says will support development and help housing projects move forward. Council says financial measures it has proposed will ease cost pressures and improve cash flow. The measures include: Josh White, Vancouver’s general manager of planning, urban design and sustainability,…
Read MoreHelp Shape the Implementation of the Infrastructure Projects Act
On behalf of the Ministry of Infrastructure As you may know, the Infrastructure Projects Act (the Act) is a new law in British Columbia that helps speed up the delivery of major public infrastructure—like hospitals, schools, and long-term care homes—so communities can get the services they need, faster. The Act also supports faster delivery of provincially significant projects…
Read MoreUnion pleads for action four years after B.C. crane collapse that killed five people
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 14, 2025 BURNABY, B.C. — Officials from a B.C. construction union say it’s been four years since a crane collapse killed five people in Kelowna, and their families and the industry are still waiting for answers from WorkSafeBC about what happened, and from prosecutors about possible criminal…
Read MoreAre your crews trained to work safely around traffic?
On behalf of Road Safety at Work A thorough orientation that includes work zone safety is a powerful tool for companies employing people who work at or on the roadside. Safe work zones are a regulatory requirement in BC and play a critical role in preventing worker injuries caused by moving vehicles. They can also…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to Part 12 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
On behalf of WorkSafeBC –> Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 12, Tools, Machinery and Equipment, sections 12.74 to 12.80.2 — Automotive Lifts and Other Vehicle Supports, of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase gives stakeholders an opportunity to share feedback before the proposed…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to Parts 4, 13, 14, 20, 28, and 31 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
On Behalf of WorkSafeBC –> Our Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to multiple sections of Parts 4, 13, 14, 20, 28, and 31 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to periodic certification of equipment as safe for use. The consultation phase gives stakeholders an opportunity to share…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC announces the average base premium rate for employers unchanged in 2026
The preliminary average base premium rate for 2026 will remain at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. Subject to final approval by WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors, this will be the ninth consecutive year that the average base rate has remained at this level. WorkSafeBC is holding virtual rate information sessions this week during which their…
Read MorePremium rate for employers will be unchanged in 2026: WorkSafeBC
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | July 15, 2025 RICHMOND, B.C. — WorkSafeBC has announced next year $570 million in surplus funding will be handed back to B.C. employers, as the preliminary average base premium rate for 2026 will remain at $1.55 per $100 of assessable payroll. Although subject to final approval from the…
Read MoreAlberta man killed after crane collapses at Saskatoon construction site
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | July 7, 2025 SASKATOON — Police say an Alberta man who was rushed to hospital Saturday after a crane collapse in Saskatoon has died. Officers had been dispatched to a construction site on Webster Street in the city’s northeast for an industrial accident. A crane collapsed at the…
Read MoreB.C. is easing rules on upfront costs for homebuilders to spur project construction
Homebuilders will have 4 years, rather than 2, to pay development fee charges CBC | The Canadian Press | Posted: Jul 02, 2025 1:16 PM PDT The British Columbia government is loosening the rules for payment of development fees in a bid to jump-start home construction that has been hampered by upfront costs. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says among…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeaBC
June 23, 2025 Construction incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy. 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: 2025-Jun ID…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC fines roofing company for unsafe Richmond worksite again
Richmond News | Valerie Leung | Jun 20, 2025 A roofing company working on a Richmond home is being fined once again by the provincial work safety watchdog. WorkSafeBC gave Hardworking Roofing Service Ltd. a $6,086.26 fine on May 1 after several workers were found on a sloped roof with no proper fall protection. The firm…
Read MorePrevent heat stress at work
As temperatures rise, take action to protect your workers from heat stress. Find resources, including our heat stress screening tool, to help manage the risk at your workplace. Learn more »
Decision on the New and Revised B.C. Exposure Limits based on the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 ACGIH TLVs for Selected Chemical Substances
At its April 2025 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD) approved the adoption of the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 new and revised American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH TLVs) for the following selected chemical substances: In addition, Epichlorohydrin’s revised ACGIH TLV is already the same as the existing B.C. exposure limit. Effective…
Read MoreLight House Opens Applications for 2025/2026 Circular Construction Accelerator
VANCOUVER, BC (May 29, 2025) – Light House, an organization focused on advancing circular practices in the built environment, is now accepting applications for the 2025/2026 Circular Construction Accelerator (CCA). This complimentary, impact-driven program supports B.C.-based businesses in adopting circular economy practices to reduce waste, create new value streams, and contribute to a more resilient built environment. Through the…
Read MorePetrie addendum offers more confusion than clarity on claims suppression
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | June 19, 2025 The Petrie April 2025 addendum report alleging WorkSafeBC (WSBC) ignores companies that suppress claims to get lower rates is being met with more confusion than clarity. “We are always happy to work with labour where there is a problem but we have to be able…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Rate Information Sessions
You are invited to attend WorkSafeBC’s rate information sessions Join other B.C. employers in learning about WorkSafeBC’s preliminary assessment rates for 2026, and how you can reduce your premiums through a safer and healthier workplace. Session details WorkSafeBC’s information sessions include a presentation followed by a live question and answer period. The topics for the…
Read MoreOilfield equipment supplier penalized $126,000 after worker seriously injured
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | June 18, 2025 EDMONTON – TAQA Drilling Solutions Inc. pleaded guilty to one charge under Alberta’s occupational health and safety (OHS) laws and was sentenced to pay $126,000 on June 4 in the Edmonton Court of Justice. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on a worksite…
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