Vaughn Palmer: Ambitious climate targets too fast, will damage economy, says B.C. business group

Opinion: Environment Minister George Heyman disputes the conclusion, even though it was based on government numbers Vancouver Sun | Vaughn Palmer | Nov 21, 2023 VICTORIA — The New Democrats have been forced to defend their Clean B.C. climate plan because of the discovery that the government’s own modelling says it will hurt the economy. The…

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Three reappointments made to WorkSafeBC board

Victoria | News Release | December 5, 2023 Three directors have been reappointed to WorkSafeBC’s governance board. Effective Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023: The WorkSafeBC board of directors serves as steward of WorkSafeBC and the workers’ compensation system. The Workers Compensation Act requires that the board includes representation from professionals from a range of relevant fields,…

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Further guidance on first aid regulatory changes now available

In April 2023, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to Part 3 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, relating to first aid. These amendments take effect November 1, 2024.  To assist you in preparing for the proposed requirements, we have added further guidance to our backgrounder on the occupational first aid regulatory changes.  A summary of…

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Crane lowers three injured workers to safety after Vancouver scaffolding collapse

Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | November 22, 2023 VANCOUVER – Ongoing work at a construction site in downtown Vancouver has been stopped and an investigation is underway after a facade fell off a church building onto scaffolding, sending three workers to a hospital. Samantha Newlove, a traffic control worker, said the incident happened on Wednesday…

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Time to ‘unleash the private sector,’ Gardner highlights during industry outlook panel

Journal of Commerce | Sarah Rowland | November 17, 2023 Less red tape. That was the general consensus at a recent panel held at the Riverway Clubhouse. The discussion centered on findings from a recent report released by Procore: How We Build Now. Moderated by Kimberly Corlett, Field Marketing manager at Procore Technologies, the panel featured…

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ICBA continues call for justice in unsolved Coastal GasLink camp attack

Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | November 16, 2023 VICTORIA — The investigation into the attack on a Coastal GasLink camp and its workers, which occurred in February 2022, remains unsolved with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reporting no new updates. This is despite the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of B.C. (ICBA)…

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Supreme Court ruling ‘a game changer’ for safety professionals

Canadian Occupational Safety | November 15, 2023 | By Shane Mercer In a groundbreaking decision, Canada’s Supreme Court has ruled that municipalities can be held legally responsible for accidents on construction sites, even when they lack direct control over the workers or the workplace. This landmark judgment has sent shockwaves through the health and safety industry, prompting…

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WorkSafeBC’s searchable Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual

WorkSafeBC has released a new searchable Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual, Volume II application on the worksafebc.com website.   Volume II of the Rehabilitation Services & Claims Manual (RS&CM) contains WorkSafeBC’s current policies on compensation and rehabilitation for injured workers and their dependants.  WorkSafeBC is interested in feedback on your use of the application, in terms of ease of navigation, visual cues,…

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Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers Bulletin

This is to inform you that a new bulletin – Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers is now live on the WorkSafeBC website. Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) are useful tools for storing and transporting materials on construction sites and in other workplaces. However, they can pose a hazard when they are used to transport materials they weren’t designed…

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Public Consultation – Harassment and Violence

WorkSafeBC is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the workplace behaviour requirements that are intended to create a single, comprehensive framework in the OH&S regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. All stakeholder feedback is carefully considered and analyzed, and is provided…

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Information Session Bill 41: Duty to Cooperate and Duty to Maintain Employment

As part of efforts to share information about the changes to the Worker’s Compensation Act coming into effect on January 1, 2024, WorkSafeBC is inviting employers to an information session this month (November 16, 3-4pm). The session will feature experts talking about Bill 41, specifically the duty to cooperate and the duty to maintain employment….

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B.C. to remove barriers for internationally trained professionals: premier

Journal of Commerce | The Canadian Press | October 24, 2023 VICTORIA – The British Columbia government introduced legislation Monday that’s expected to add skilled workers into the labour force more quickly by reducing barriers for internationally trained workers from more than two dozen professions. Premier David Eby said the province cannot leave people with talent…

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Internationally trained engineers, social workers and paramedics to be fast-tracked in B.C.

Vancouver Sun | Katie DeRosa | Oct 23, 2023 Alice Wong, who completed her master’s degree in social work in Hong Kong, has spent the last 14 months navigating an arduous accreditation process that included hundreds of pages of paperwork, exams, English tests and bureaucratic hoops. “It was very challenging for me,” said the 40-year-old….

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