September 5th, 2024 2:30 pm On behalf of Trevor Hughes, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour -> The Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) has approved an Order in Council (OIC) amending the OHSR to require employers to ensure flush toilets are readily available at construction sites where the project has or will have 25 or more…
Read MoreB.C. construction associations propose ‘minister of construction’
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | August 28, 2024 VANCOUVER – Two British Columbia construction stakeholders are urging the next provincial government to create a minister of construction given the industry’s importance to the B.C. economy. B.C. goes to the polls in October and both the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) and Vancouver Regional…
Read MoreBC Conservative leader lays out construction policies at VRCA event
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | August 30, 2024 VANCOUVER – One of now two remaining contenders vying to lead British Columbia let the province’s construction stakeholders know where he stands on what they build on a volatile day for the province’s political landscape. BC Conservative leader John Rustad was the third and final guest…
Read MoreLegal Notes: Crown loses “employer” appeal in landmark Sudbury case
Journal of Commerce | John Bleasby | September 5, 2024 The Superior Court of Ontario issued a ruling on August 23 that is certain to bring a sigh of relief to project owners. An appeal launched by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development that, if successful, could have redefined the meaning of “employer”…
Read MoreTower Crane Notice of Project
WorkSafeBC has approved new regulations to improve tower crane safety in B.C. that will come into effect on October 1, 2024. The new regulations will require employers to submit a Notice of Project (NOP-TC) to WorkSafeBC for certain tower crane activities, including erection, climbing, repositioning, and dismantling. An NOP is written notice provided to WorkSafeBC for…
Read MoreFasten your bandages: Changes coming to B.C.’s occupational first aid regulations
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | August 7, 2024 On Nov. 1, 2024 changes regarding the provision of occupational first aid (OFA) to B.C.’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation come into effect. WorkSafeBC says the upcoming changes will affect all B.C. employers who are required to provide first aid services that are appropriate to each…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC | July 31, 2024 Construction related 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: Laceration Core Activity: Blasting or avalanche control Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2024-Jun ID Number: 2024192870020 During…
Read MoreOct. 1 is coming, here’s what you need to know about new tower crane safety regs in B.C.
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | August 2, 2024 A new amendment meant to improve tower crane safety in B.C. will take effect Oct. 1 and requires employers to submit a notice of project (NOP) in advance of tower crane erection, climbing, repositioning and dismantling. The proposed amendments will also require these activities to be done under…
Read MoreProvincial government ends public health emergency for COVID-19
On July 26, 2024, Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer, ended the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinded all related orders. As a result, a presumption that a claim for COVID-19 is work-related will no longer apply if the exposure occurred on or after July 26, 2024. Going forward, COVID-19 related claims…
Read MoreDr. Aamir Bharmal named chief medical officer
WorkSafeBC Following an extensive recruitment process, Dr. Aamir Bharmal, MD, MPH, CCFP, FRCPC, has been named WorkSafeBC’s new chief medical officer, effective November 4, 2024. Dr. Bharmal is a public health physician who is passionate about injury and disease prevention, epidemiology, and health quality. He comes to WorkSafeBC from the BC Centre for Disease Control, where…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC’s Psychological Health and Safety webpage & New Resource
WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC is pleased to announce that they have formally launched their Psychological Health and Safety webpage. This webpage can be used to learn more about psychological health and safety, WorkSafeBC’s mental health strategy, and find helpful resources. Their newest resource – Framework for Success – builds upon the three principles identified in the Mental Health Strategy and introduces…
Read MoreBoard of Directors approves amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
July 24th, 2024 At its May 2024 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The amendments relate to Emergency Planning and Notice of Project — Tower Crane. Strikethrough versions of the amendments with explanatory notes can be accessed below. Deletions in the regulatory amendments are identified in strikethrough and additions are in bold text…
Read MoreNew Recruitment Tool for BC’s Construction Industry: Builders Life TalentCentral
Shared on behalf of BCCA – June 4, 2024 Today, the BC Construction Association (BCCA) launched a new online job board tailored for the construction industry, which allows job seekers to be efficiently matched with employers. Builders Life TalentCentral eases the hiring process by offering BC construction employers the ability to post job openings and connect with…
Read MoreBCCWITT News and Events – July Newsletter
On behalf of BC Centre for Women in the Trades – We turned SIX!!! On July 1st, we at the BC Centre for Women in the Trades celebrated our sixth anniversary as an organization. We are so proud of all we’ve accomplished throughout these past 6 years, and deeply appreciate your support: We couldn’t have…
Read MoreA Farewell to Ron Rapp
Shared on behalf of HAVAN (Homebuilders Association Vancouver) So many of you have been inquiring about how Ron has been doing, and sending your well wishes for his improved health but it is with heavy hearts that we share the following message from Ron’s partner, Jill Kapuscinski. It is with great sadness that I share…
Read MoreLearn about WorkSafeBC’s preliminary rates for 2025
You are invited to attend one of our virtual rate information sessions Join other B.C. employers in learning about WorkSafeBC’s preliminary assessment premium rates for 2025, and how you can reduce your premiums through a safer and healthier workplace and helping injured workers recover. Register now See additional details below. Please share this invitation with others…
Read MoreOccupational first aid regulatory change
WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors has approved amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, relating to occupational first aid (OFA). These amendments take effect November 1, 2024. To assist you in preparing for the new requirements, we are sharing information about the new workplace first aid curriculum and additional resources to help…
Read More2024 July public hearing on proposed amendments to the OHS Regulation
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 July 24, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Further information on how to view or participate in the virtual public hearing will be provided closer to the hearing date. These details will…
Read MoreUpdate: Washrooms on construction sites
WorkSafeBC As you may know, WorkSafeBC held a virtual public hearing in January to discuss proposed changes to Part 20 – Washroom Facilities on Construction Sites. This proposal would amend the Regulation to require the provision of flush toilets on construction sites with 25 or more workers. The Board of Directors requested changes to the draft…
Read More‘Getting support’: New app offers B.C. construction workers overdose prevention tools
Vancouver Sun | Lori Culbert | Published Jun 27, 2024 Health Canada-funded app provides info and resources for labourers, the hardest-hit sector in the toxic drug crisis A new, free app offers warnings about opioids and links to overdose-prevention resources for those in construction and other labour industries, the sector hardest hit by the toxic drug crisis….
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