These summaries of selected Construction work-related incidents recently reported to WorkSafeBC may help you to prevent similar incidents. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Burns Core Activity: Commercial refrigeration or commercial air conditioning work Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2018-Jun ID Number: 2018162930009 A worker was using an acetylene torch to un-solder a copper…
Read MoreCourt will not hear drug testing appeal involving oilsands workers
The Canadian Press | June 15, 2018 OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear a union’s appeal of a key ruling about random drug testing at Suncor Energy’s oilsands operations in northeast Alberta. Suncor began testing staff in safety-sensitive jobs six years ago, prompting Unifor – which represents some 3,000 workers at the site…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Rate Consultation Sessions – July
Learn about WorkSafeBC’s preliminary 2019 rates Join one of the WorkSafeBC rate consultation sessions You’re invited to attend a session on WorkSafeBC’s insurance rates for 2019. Join us, and other employers in your region, to learn more about the preliminary rates for your industry, injury trends in British Columbia, and what you can do to…
Read MoreNew safety bulletin: Hazards of using Prusik slings in fall-protection systems
Some workers use Pusik slings as rope grabs, as part of their personal fall-protection system. A Prusik sling, however, does not protect workers who might instinctively grasp their system’s rope grabs during falls. Some commercially available rope grabs are manufactured with “anti-panic” features that lock onto the lifeline even when they are grasped. A Prusik…
Read MoreNew first aid training requirements effective July 1, 2018
First aid attendants are a lifeline for those who become injured or ill in the workplace. WorkSafeBC regularly reviews the occupational first aid training program to ensure that it is keeping up with best practices. In order to cover a broader spectrum of medical issues, and align treatment protocols with Canadian and international best practices,…
Read More2018 Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Public Consultation
In the past months, Technical Safety BC has been reviewing the 2018 Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) to assess the impact of code changes in BC and will soon make recommendations to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on its sustainability of adoption in BC. As a part of the review process, your feedback is…
Read MoreDecision on the New and Revised Occupational Exposure Limits for 2013, 2014, and 2015
At the May 2018 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD) approved the adoption of the 2013, 2014, and 2015 new and revised American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (ACGIH TLVs). The BOD decided to adopt the ACGIH TLVs as British Columbia Occupational Exposure Limits (BC OELs) for the following substances: Acetone Aliphatic…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Information Sessions on Process Safety
June 5 (Prince George) and June 20 (Richmond) Process safety focuses on preventing catastrophic outcomes through systematic risk identification and management. Join one of these sessions to learn more about process safety and WorkSafeBC’s Process Safety Initiative.
New Safety Bulletin on Crane Operator Competencies
This bulletin examines the factors that contributed to a recent load-failure incident and gives an overview of the competencies that crane operators need to demonstrate.
Bill 9 — Mental Disorder Presumption
The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 2018 (Bill 9) amends the Workers Compensation Act by adding a mental disorder presumption for correctional officers, emergency medical assistants, firefighters, police officers, and sheriffs who are exposed to one or more traumatic events as part of their employment. The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is releasing a discussion paper…
Read MoreMay 2018 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
These summaries of selected Construction work-related incidents recently reported to WorkSafeBC may help you to prevent similar incidents. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Multiple injuries Core Activity: Commercial refrigeration or commercial air conditioning work Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2018-May ID Number: 2018155500026 A worker using a fixed ladder to access a roof…
Read MoreRoadbuilders see less red tape with COR to SAFE agreement
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | May 28, 2018 In 2017, the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the BC Forest Safety Council (BCFSC). The agreement enabled construction companies with COR (certificate of recognition) to comply with the forestry sector’s similar but different safety requirements. Not long after the…
Read MoreRoad Safety at Work Complimentary Workshops – June
Road Safety At Work is holding four complimentary half day road safety workshops in June. Content and exercises are of interest to company owners, managers, supervisors, health and safety practitioners, Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee members and others who have responsibility for making decisions and developing programs to keep employees safe on BC roads. Sessions…
Read More2018 Summer Safety Blitz
STEPHANIE IP | The Vancouver Sun | Published on: May 14, 2018 | Last Updated: May 14, 2018 7:42 AM PDT Police and Worksafe BC have launched their 2018 safe driving campaign. Last year, charges were laid after a white SUV struck two flaggers in Burnaby, seriously injuring one. This is a screengrab from a…
Read MoreRoadside worker zone safe-driving blitz rolls out
Journal Of Commerce | News Service | May 14, 2018 RICHMOND, B.C. — On May 14, Vancouver Police (VPD) planned to step up enforcement in a busy traffic route where roadside workers run the risk of injury. This is part of the 2018 launch of the B.C. Cone Zone Campaign. The VPD partnered with the Work Zone…
Read MoreJOC re VRCA Conference on Cannabis and Construction: It’s Going to be Complicated
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 9, 2018 A group of industry experts looked at the ways in which cannabis will affect the industry from a medical, legal and labour standpoint during a panel discussion at the Vancouver Regional Construction Association’s annual Construction Leadership Forum conference in Whistler, B.C. WorkSafeBC director of prevention practices and…
Read MoreFatigue Risk Management Symposium – June 7th
More and more businesses are operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This has a significant impact on workers and their health and safety in the workplace. On behalf of WorkSafeBC, you are invited to attend the Fatigue Risk Management Symposium on June 7 to learn how to mitigate and manage fatigue-related risk…
Read MoreAmerican Occupational Health and Safety Week Launches
Journal of Commerce | May 7, 2018 Photo courtesy of CCSE- A Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue boat and helicopter held a demonstration in the harbour by the British Columbia legislature in Victoria for North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, which launched on May 7. VICTORIA – Safety took centre stage in British Columbia’s…
Read MoreConstruction industry marks the Day of Mourning
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | May 1, 2018 Workers and employers gathered together on April 28 to remember fallen comrades and strive to prevent further tragedies. The Day of Mourning, an observation for those who have lost their lives in the workplace, is held across the country. Representatives from British Columbia’s government, business and…
Read MoreBulletin: Residential Wood Frame Spring Inspections
Industry and Labour Services would like to inform you of WorkSafeBC Prevention Field Services’ (PFS) spring inspection plan. With the change in weather and increasing longer days, residential construction activity is increasing. Unfortunately with the increase in activity, the risk of falls from heights increases as well. The Bulletin describes the PFS inspection plan of…
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