Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | September 22, 2025 An international wave of peer support programs within the construction industry is shaping up as the bridge over the stigma that is preventing the “tough-guy” construction worker from seeking mental health, addiction and suicide help. “Broad awareness exists of union-provided mental health and addictions programs; stigma…

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Later this month, WorkSafeBC will hold a second public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation: Part 6, Substance Specific Requirements – Combustible Dusts. These changes aim to strengthen safety measures across a broad range of workplaces by clarifying that various types of dust may be combustible and pose…

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September 12, 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: Injuries to lower body (1 worker) Core Activity: Traffic control / Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or…

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Journal of Commerce | Don Procter | September 16, 2025 “Landmark legislation” just introduced in New York City proposes construction workers and supervisors carrying Site Safety Training (SST) cards – required on worksites that need building permits – to complete additional training focused on mental health and wellness. The additional training would cover suicide risk and…

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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | September 8, 2025 OTTAWA — Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) have released a comprehensive report detailing the mental health and substance use challenges faced by its 600,000 members across 60 skilled trades. The report, prepared by the Douglas Coldwell Layton Foundation, sheds light on the unique stressors impacting tradespeople…

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Journal of Commerce | Don Wall | September 9, 2025 Ontario construction stakeholders are praising new labour-mobility regulations as an important step towards breaking down interprovincial work barriers, but they say they will be watching implementation closely and are calling for further reforms. Starting next Jan. 1, skilled workers in certified professions from other provinces and…

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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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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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)

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 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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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