On behalf of Road Safety at Work Do your company’s New Year’s resolutions include a commitment to road safety? They should if your employees do any work-related driving, from picking up office supplies to making sales calls to travelling between job sites. You’ve got legal responsibilities for employees who drive full time, part time, or…
Read MoreAmendments to Part 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation – Emergency procedures for hazardous substances
On behalf of WorkSafeBC –> Approved Amendments for Part 5, Emergency Planning, in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation relating to emergency procedures for hazardous substances take effect on February 3, 2025. These amendments focus on broadening and enhancing existing requirements to minimize risks to workers and other persons. The expanded sections include: Backgrounder available…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
December 12, 2024 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: Fractures Core Activity: Structural concrete forming Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2024-Nov ID Number: 2024194900032 During the installation of vertical concrete…
Read MoreBusiness Council report states B.C. faces ‘economic plateau’ as megaprojects wrap up
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 12, 2024 VANCOUVER — The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) has released its last B.C. Economic Review and Outlook of the year, with the wrap up of several megaprojects taking centre stage. According to the report, while B.C.’s economy is “weak” by historical standards, it is still better…
Read MoreBC Construction Industry Survey
Every year, the BC Construction Association (BCCA) collects valuable information from industry through the BC Construction Industry Survey. Using these insights, a full construction industry survey report is published every April during Construction Month, highlighting important trends, priorities and bright spots for the industry. The BC Construction Industry Survey helps the BCCA to understand what’s important to the…
Read MoreHoliday season safety reminder: WorkSafeBC issues working at heights advisory
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | December 9, 2024 RICHMOND, B.C. — WorkSafeBC has issued an advisory urging workers and employers across all industries to take additional precautions when working at heights as the holiday season is upon us. Tasks such as installing festive decorations, performing outdoor construction or maintaining property during the winter…
Read MoreIndustry Special: CCPO program firing on all cylinders to process BC concrete pump operator exams
Journal of Commerce | ConstructConnect™ Media | December 4, 2024 The BC Construction Safety Alliance’s (BCCSA) Certified Concrete Pump Operator (CCPO) program continues to work overtime to process certification requests from a growing number of applicants who are eager to be certified to remain compliant with WorkSafeBC regulations. The good news is that the program is…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
November 27, 2024 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: Excavation operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2024-Nov ID Number: 2024188240017 A mini-excavator swung and struck a…
Read MoreBusiness Council of B.C. report urges fiscal reform as new government takes shape
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | November 25, 2024 VICTORIA — A new report from the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) is highlighting what it feels is the pressing need to strengthen B.C.’s public finances. Coined B.C.’s Deteriorating Fiscal Position: Cause for Concern, the report details record deficits, rising debt levels and repeated credit…
Read MoreDavid Eby ignores calls to decentralize power out of premier’s office
Vancouver Sun | Vaughn Palmer | November 21, 2024 Vaughn Palmer: Eby was urged to delegate responsibility to front-line ministers after almost losing the election and some thought he might actually give it a try. VICTORIA — David Eby started his second term as premier by centralizing more power in his office, this time to…
Read MoreEby introduces a drastically reshaped B.C. NDP cabinet
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | November 19, 2024 VICTORIA — Premier David Eby says “kitchen table” issues in British Columbia will be the focus for his revamped, postelection cabinet that was sworn in on Monday. Eby’s new cabinet, comprising 23 ministers and four ministers of state, features a mix of new and familiar…
Read MoreNew cabinet ready to deliver on the priorities of British Columbians
Victoria | November 18, 2024 | Press Release Premier David Eby has appointed a new cabinet that is ready to listen to British Columbians and deliver on the core challenges people are facing – a team that combines years of experience and fresh perspectives from outside of government. “At a time when there is a…
Read MoreHow to comply with winter driving safety requirements
Road Safety at Work When construction trades employees drive for work in winter for anything from travelling between job sites to transporting materials and equipment or crew members, BC law requires employers to take several steps to ensure their safety. Road Safety at Work can help you. Download their small business resources covering employer responsibilities, winter driving…
Read MoreContracting firm fined more than $43K for worker injury on Richmond construction site
Richmond News | Valerie Leung | October 30, 2024 A company has been fined more than $43,000 after an accident left a worker seriously injured during an explosion and fire at a Richmond construction worksite. The worker, employed by a subcontractor, was working with the prime contractor, identified on WorkSafeBC’s website as 0381060 B.C. Ltd. (formerly Centreville Construction…
Read More‘Systemic failure’ to manage safety at Vancouver’s Oakridge construction site, WorkSafeBC alleges
Claims contained in court document are ‘baseless’ and ‘without merit,’ prime contractor EllisDon says Jason Proctor | CBC News | Posted: Nov 01, 2024 WorkSafeBC claims a “systemic failure to manage workplace health and safety” has plagued Vancouver’s multibillion-dollar Oakridge construction site, according to court documents obtained by CBC. A search warrant executed last month following an…
Read MoreDECLINING FUTURE INVESTMENT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA’S MAJOR PROJECTS ADDS TO INDUSTRY’S GROWING CHALLENGES
BCCA Media Release Workforce shortages, payment uncertainty, and high labour costs continue to pressure BC contractors VICTORIA, B.C. (October 30, 2024) — Statistics in the BC Construction Association’s (BCCA) Fall 2024 Construction Industry Stat Pack demonstrate that while the value of existing projects continues to grow, the threat of poor industry support and declining investments in…
Read MoreTower crane safety has to be top of mind at every level: WorkSafeBC expert
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | October 30, 2024 Crane safety is top of mind for British Columbia’s safety regulator, but even with new rules in place due diligence is needed in every position on the site. WorkSafeBC prevention field services supervisor Jason Baia hosted a session titled Ensuring the Safe Operation of a Tower…
Read MoreOccupational first aid regulatory changes
On November 1, 2024, amendments to Part 3 – Minimum Levels of First Aid of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation take effect. These changes will align B.C.’s workplace first aid training programs and kits with standards set by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Below you can find information and resources to help employers meet these new requirements. For a…
Read MoreCCPO Provisional Certificates Expire on November 1, 2024
WorkSafeBC will not grant any further extensions to the January 1, 2024, regulatory deadline. After November 1, 2024, all uncertified concrete pump operators must abide by the stipulations in Part 20.26.6 of the Occupational Health & Safety Regulation, which requires that any uncertified operator in BC work under supervision of a certified operator. “Certified” means that the operator holds…
Read MoreSCSA uses survey tool to help companies prevent incidents before they happen
Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | October 21, 2024 An innovative new survey tool is being used by the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) to help companies identify hazards and prompt them to take steps to reduce injury risks. The tool was developed by the SCSA in collaboration with EHS Analytics, a Calgary-based company that specializes in health…
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