Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | September 8, 2025 For years, regulations in jurisdictions across Canada have offered a choice between Type I hardhats, designed to reduce force as a result of an impact to the top of the head, and Type II helmets, designed to reduce force as a result of an impact to the…
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Construction safety improving in B.C. despite high-profile incidents
Richmond News | Jami Makan | September 2, 2025 There are fewer injuries and deaths occurring on B.C. construction sites compared to previous years and decades, although much work remains to ensure worker safety. “Struck by’s,” “falls from” and “trips and slips” are among the most common incidents on job sites, and major events like…
Read More$326M in federal community-building funding for B.C.
Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | September 2, 2025 SURREY — The federal government says British Columbia is set to receive more than $326 million this fiscal year to help fund community infrastructure projects. A statement from the Department of Housing and Infrastructure says it is the latest money to flow to the province…
Read MoreB.C. crane industry wants provincial standard for riggers
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | August 29, 2025 Members of B.C.’s construction crane industry want WorkSafeBC (WSBC) to set a provincial standard for riggers to fill a critical regulatory void which now allows individuals with little or no formal training to load tower cranes with thousands of pounds of material and pass over a…
Read MoreConstruction Unemployment Reaches YTD Low in July 2025
Buildforce Canada Labour Market Blog The national construction unemployment rate reached its lowest level of the calendar year at 4.4% in July 2025, as builders in many regions of the country continued to work on large volumes of non-residential projects. Data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for July 2025 finds construction employment up slightly…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
August 28, 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: Fatal Core Activity: Excavator operation Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2025-Aug ID Number: 2025163800012 An excavator was loading concrete sanitation rings…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
WorkSafeBC’s Policy, Regulation and Research Department is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to Part 6, Substance Specific Requirements — Toxic Process Gases, and additional amendments to Parts 24 and 28, 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…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC New and Updated Resources
Prime contractor role and responsibilities (information sheet) Safety on the job is everyone’s responsibility (poster) Hear for Good: A Worker’s Guide to Preventing Hearing Loss (pamphlet)
New video: Safe work practices for flytables
Moving flytables from one level to another during highrise construction is a complex task with serious safety risks. WorkSafeeBC’s new Flytable Safety video shows how planning, coordination, and safe work practices can help prevent injuries and damage on the jobsite. Learn more »
2025 New or Revised ACGIH Threshold Limit Values and B.C. Exposure Limits (June)
2025 New or Revised ACGIH Threshold Limit Values andB.C. Exposure Limits (June) The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation provides that, except as otherwise determined by WorkSafeBC, an employer must ensure no worker is exposed to a substance exceeding the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) prescribed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Twice a year, the…
Read MoreBCCA applauds budget consultation report that prioritizes construction
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | August 15, 2025 VICTORIA — The British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) is reacting positively to the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Report on the 2026 Budget Consultation, which puts an emphasis supporting the province’s construction industry and workforce. Chris Atchison, president of the BCCA, spoke to…
Read MoreBCCWITT Newsletter – August 2025
On behalf of the BC Construction Women in the Trades – Show Up for Safer Workplaces is accepting applications now! After a lot of hard work, learning and planning, we’re excited to launch our pilot trainings for Show Up for Safer Workplaces this fall! Show Up is an innovative new program that will create safer, healthier, and…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC issues warning for employers as heat wave grips B.C.
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | August 12, 2025 RICHMOND, B.C. — WorkSafeBC is reminding Metro Vancouver and Lower Mainland employers to keep their workers safe as the heat wave continues. Environment Canada has warned temperatures may reach 33 C today, and as a result workers are at higher risk for heat stress. Between…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
August 7, 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: Injury to head Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work Location: Lower Mainland Date of…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC consultation on proposed amendments to the OHSR – Parts 4, 13, 14, 20, 28 and 31 – Equipment Safe for Use
WorkSafeBC is holding a public consultation on proposed amendments to 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. This consultation phase is an opportunity to provide feedback, which will be carefully reviewed, before the proposed amendments are taken to…
Read MoreFormer biker clubhouse being transformed into a new hope for tradespeople
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | August 6, 2025 LANGFORD, B.C. – A former biker clubhouse in Langford, B.C. is being completely transformed, all while bringing new hope for tradespeople facing mental health and wellness challenges. The FORGE, a community-led project built by and for tradespeople, has officially broken ground in the Westshore. It…
Read MoreB.C. company fined $114,000 after propane explosion incident
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | August 6, 2025 NAKSUP, B.C. – Peter’s Bros Construction Ltd. has been fined $114,128. 21 after a worker was injured during an explosion and fire at a paving site near Naksup, B.C. WorkSafeBC attended the highway paving worksite in response to an incident last year. According to the…
Read MoreFlytable incidents prompt WSBC to issue new safety video
Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | August 11, 2025 Multiple serious incidents and a fatality over the past 10 years have prompted WorkSafeBC (WSBC) to issue an updated flytable-form safety video. Andrew Kidd, director of prevention field services for WSBC, said the video was also needed as field officers were hearing of near-misses or situations where incidents…
Read MoreCanadian Construction Safety Council
TORONTO, ON – March 19, 2025 – Canada’s leading general contractors have united to form the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC), with a mission to elevate safety performance and establish innovative new industry benchmarks to protect construction workers nationwide. The Council’s founding members include Aecon, AtkinsRéalis, Bird Construction Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., EllisDon Corporation, EBC, Graham…
Read MoreSeptember 2025 public hearing on proposed changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation – Combustible Dust
WorkSafeBC is holding a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on September 24, 2025, in two sessions. The first will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m. Further information on how to view or participate in the virtual…
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