On behalf of BC Centre for Women in the Trades — BCCWITT is celebrating some exciting things coming up in the next few weeks, so we want to keep you in the loop! Did you know that BCCWITT is turning 5 years old next month!? To celebrate, we have a few upcoming contests and surprises. We…
Read MoreAuthor Archives: cocabc
BCBC: Victoria, WorkSafeBC need to better consider employer needs
Jock Finlayson | May 19, 2023 8:22 PM | The Orca A ‘worker centric’ approach at WorkSafeBC shouldn’t ignore employers, write Jock Finlayson and Ken Peacock Since coming to power in 2017, the NDP government has been engineering what it describes as a more “worker centric” approach at WorkSafeBC, the province’s occupational health and safety…
Read MoreIndustry Special: If you cut ceramic tiles, the BCCSA is looking for help in new lead-detection research
Journal of Commerce | ConstructConnect™ Media | May 25, 2023 This summer, the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) is launching a research program designed to reliably measure lead exposure resulting from the dust generated by cutting through ceramic tile glazes. Lead is no longer permitted in new paint and plumbing products, however, lead continues to be…
Read MoreProvince of B.C. looks for building code input
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | May 25, 2023 VICTORIA – The Government of British Columbia has launched a survey to take the pulse of the public regarding changes to the BC Building Code. Proposed changes to the code are based on the 2020 National Model Codes with some B.C.-specific variations to address geography,…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to Part 5 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
WorkSafeBC’s Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 5, Chemical Agents and Biological Agents, sections 5.97 to 5.105, of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase gives stakeholders an opportunity to share feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. View the proposed regulatory amendments and information…
Read MoreSTC Trades Designation Process Now Open
On behalf of SkilledTradesBC: SkilledTradesBC has a new mandate to ensure British Columbia has the skilled workforce to meet the demand for 85,000 more tradespeople over the next ten years. Part of this mandate includes implementing Skilled Trades Certification which will continue to build a diversified and sustainable skilled labour force through certification. On behalf…
Read MoreA united and engaged industry can influence regulations: VRCA CLF
Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | May 8, 2023 When it comes to drafting the regulations that govern how construction in British Columbia runs, Dr. David Baspaly and WorkSafeBC’s Don Schouten say the more the industry engages, the more policy can be influenced. In an interview with the Journal of Commerce (JOC), Baspaly, president of…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
May 3, 2023 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: Structural concrete forming / Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction Location: Lower Mainland…
Read More‘Let’s get rid of the stigma:’ communication key for mental health: ICBA
Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | May 3, 2023 When it comes to mental health and safety, communication is king. This week marks Mental Health Week and Construction Safety Week with some industry leaders putting the importance of strong communication front and centre. While communication may seem like a broad term, it has several specific…
Read MoreAlberta builders challenge Notley on ‘B.C.-style’ CBAs
Journal of Commerce | Evan Saunders | May 3, 2023 The writ is dropped and the gloves are off. Prominent members of the Alberta construction sector are pushing back on NDP Leader Rachel Notley’s support of “B.C.-style” community benefit agreements (CBAs) and her disapproval of double breasting as the May 29 general election approaches. Paul de…
Read MoreMay 9th, 2023 virtual public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments
WorkSafeBC will be holding a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on May 9, 2023, in two sessions. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m. View the public hearing live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. View the public hearing live from…
Read MoreFair Practices Commissioner Appointed
WorkSafeBC The WorkSafeBC Board of Directors has appointed Allan Seckel as WorkSafeBC’s first fair practices commissioner. The commissioner role was introduced as part of Bill 41, which received Royal Assent in November 2022. His function will be to investigate complaints by employers, workers, and dependants of workers regarding alleged unfairness in their dealings with WorkSafeBC. The commissioner…
Read MoreAsbestos Certification and Licensing – WorkSafeBC Public Hearing and Public Consultation
Just a reminder that WorkSafeBC is holding: This consultation phase is an opportunity to provide feedback, which will be carefully reviewed, before the proposed amendments are finalized. Materials for the proposed amendments and policy item, as well as instructions on how to provide feedback and participate at the public hearing, can be viewed by clicking…
Read MoreWorkplace Status Updated Webpage and Video
WorkSafeBC has an updated webpage and short video to draw attention to the updated workplace status policy. The content is intentionally very general. The primary intention is to ensure an employer who may have hired someone who was previously considered a “labour contractor” under the old policy (or a contractor who may have been told…
Read MoreNearZero2 Embodied Emissions Program – Accepting applications
The NearZero2 program is a research program with generous compensation payments for Part 9 projects (single-family dwellings, townhouses, duplexes, etc.) located in the City of Vancouver. Participants who are able to reduce embodied emissions below the baseline of 200 kg CO2e/m2 will receive generous compensation (up to $40,000!) in exchange for sharing information and lessons…
Read MoreMental Health Week – Taking toolbox talks further
DCN-JOC News Services | May 1, 2023 At the beginning of every May, Canadians participate in the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Mental Health Week. This year there is a focus on sharing our stories, which is part of the mental health care we all need. “Stories help build connections and strong communities. Storytelling, in all its…
Read MoreIndustry Perspectives Op-Ed: Mourn the dead and fight for the living
Journal of Commerce | Nav Malhotra | April 28, 2023 Workplace injuries cost 30 construction workers their lives in 2021. That’s one worker every 12 days. As we do every year, we will stand in silence on the National Day of Mourning April 28 to remember these construction workers and all the other workers who went…
Read More2023 Day of Mourning – Friday April 28th, 10:30 am
We remember the 181 B.C. workers that lost their lives in 2022. On April 28, workers, families, and employers will gather at commemorative ceremonies across the province to honour the 181 B.C. workers who lost their lives last year due to workplace injury and disease. When you lose a loved one, the pain never goes…
Read MoreDozens of National Day of Mourning events being held across B.C. and Western Canada
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | April 20, 2023 VICTORIA – Dozens of events are being held across British Columbia and Western Canada for the National Day of Mourning on April 28. The Day of Mourning was established as a national observance in 1991 to remember workers who either died or were injured in…
Read More2023 MCABC Business Conference – June 14 to 16 in Whistler
Fueled by our passion for progressing the industry and advancing BC’s new and existing infrastructure, the 2023 MCABC Conference will explore what it takes to be at the forefront of change. MCABC is honoured to be partnering with The Pettricrew Group of BMO Wealth Management. This team of investment advisors is lead by Elizabeth Petticrew, named one…
Read More