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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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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Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | July 25, 2025 WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — WorkSafeBC recently issued a penalty of $467,496.80 to Axis Family Resources for a “high-risk violation” at a Williams Lake worksite pertaining to repeated asbestos violations. According to a release, the firm operates a residential social services facility. WorkSafeBC inspected the worksite…

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You may have noticed a lack of COCA News recently – our Mailchimp account was overloaded and stopped sending our newsfeed posts. The issue has been fixed and you should receive regular updates going forward. I have included everything from July in today’s update – sorry for the volume. If you want to go back…

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On behalf of the Ministry of Labour –> The Ministry of Labour (the Ministry) is seeking feedback from key stakeholders on a proposed 27-week unpaid job protected leave period that aligns with federal Employment Insurance sickness benefits, which were increased in 2022. As you may be aware, in Fall 2024, an election commitment was made to:…

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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….

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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