The British Columbia Law Institute (BCLI) has issued a Consultation Paper on the Builders Lien Act and is seeking responses from all sectors of the BC construction industry and other stakeholders concerning reform of the Act.  You can read more about the Builders Lien Act review here. This is not normally something that COCA would comment on…

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Journal of Commerce | Grant Cameron | September 30, 2019 The Northern Regional Construction Association (NRCA) in Prince George, B.C., is taking aim at bullying and harassment in the workplace. Five free workshops are being held in various regions across the northern part off the province in October to educate company owners, executives and human…

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The 2019 BC Construction Health & Safety Conference (formerly known as Bridging the Gap) will be held on October 24th and 25th.  This year’s conference is not to be missed as there is another strong speaker line up and NEW venue, Pinnacle Hotel Harbourfront. LEARN ABOUT: Practical strategies to improve emotional intelligence and leverage it to build…

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September 24, 2019 WorkSafeBC is holding public hearing sessions for proposed amendments to the definition of “fire department” in Part 31, Firefighting, section 31.1 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (the OHS Regulation). The public hearing sessions will also cover proposed consequential amendments to the OHS Regulation and the Lower Maximum Administrative Penalties Regulation needed as a result of the statutory…

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Journal of Commerce | BCCSA | September 24, 2019 The new Certified Concrete Pump Operator (CCPO) proficiency certification is now being offered by the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) — the first certification of its kind in North America. While the program is being delivered through BCCSA, its creation was part of a vigorous collaboration…

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Journal of Commerce | News Service | September 25, 2019 VANCOUVER – WorkSafeBC is educating the public about asbestos risk for pre-1990s homes. The agency is urging homeowners to notify their contractor before starting renovations or a demolition. Asbestos may not always be easy to spot. It is used in 3,000 common building materials, including…

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For information only and not an endorsement – this information is shared to ensure members have the context and understanding of current issues that impact the Construction Industry. Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey  | September 23, 2019 B.C. construction association is heating up the rhetoric around already controversial public infrastructure agreements. The Progressive Contractors…

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BC Housing is offering a 3-hour webinar on November 19, 2019 entitled Building Smart with Sound Principles and Noise Control in Homes. This webinar focuses on reduction of noise levels related to building enclosure design and construction through material and assembly strategies in compliance with BC Building Code and health guidelines. Event detailsDate: Tuesday, November 19, 2019Time: 9:00…

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WorkSafeBC will be holding public hearings about proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation from the end of October through mid-November. The following amendments are under consideration: Part 16, Mobile Equipment — Full review of Part 16 with consequential amendments to Parts 1, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 26, 28, 31 Part 8,…

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Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey  | September 12, 2019 VANCOUVER – The BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) has partnered with industry and labour organizations to launch North America’s first certification program for concrete pump operators. The BCCSA worked with the Council of Construction Associations (COCA), Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA), BC Construction Association…

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Journal of Commerce | News Service | September 6, 2019 VANCOUVER — Vancouver’s local construction industry has lost one of its long-time advocates with the passing of Brian Martin, former Journal of Commerce publisher, says the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA). “Brian Martin was a tireless advocate for the construction industry and a great champion of…

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September 5, 2019 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: Close call Core Activity: Electrical work Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2019-Aug After loading a utility pole using a truck-mounted derrick boom, the truck’s operator drove away with the boom still raised….

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Journal of Commerce | John Clinkard | August 29, 2019 It is an almost universally accepted fact that Canada’s labour force and indeed the labour forces of most industrialized economies are getting greyer.  In Canada, the proportion of workers aged 55 and over has risen from 9.6% in 1996 to 21.5% in 2018. South of the border,…

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BC Housing is offering a 3-hour webinar on October 10, 2019 entitled Building Smart: Designing Building Enclosures in Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Construction. This webinar explores industry best practices for designing efficient, durable wood-frame building enclosures in new construction. Learn about the behaviour of wood as a material, the fundamentals of heat, air and moisture control, durability principles,…

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August 16, 2019 These summaries of selected work-related incidents recently reported to WorkSafeBC may help you to prevent similar incidents. See additional summaries online. Injury Type: Injury to lower body Core Activity: Painting or wallpapering Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2019-Aug A worker was performing painting activities on the second floor of a new single-family residence. The worker fell…

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RadioNL (610am) in Kamloops ~ August 15, 2019 Dave Earle, Employer’s Forumhttps://m.soundcloud.com/user-512608364/dave-earle-august-15-2019 Minister Harry Bainshttps://m.soundcloud.com/user-512608364/harry-bains-august-15-2019

Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | August 15, 2019 Dozens of employer groups have ceased participation in a review of B.C.’s workers’ compensation system, stating they have lost confidence in the process. “We just want a fair and independent process,” said Doug Alley, managing director of the Employers’ Forum, which is helping organize the response…

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B.C.’s business community says it has concerns with the direction being taken by the head of the review Vancouver Sun | ROB SHAW | Updated: August 15, 2019 VICTORIA — The business community has resigned en masse from a review of B.C.’s workers’ compensation system, saying the government-appointed reviewer is regurgitating recommendations made a decade…

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COCA is one of 46 associations who signed an Employer Community Submission the Workers Compensation Board Review.  Many of our Association members are also signatories. The letter has been sent to the Reviewer, Janet Patterson, with a cc to Premier Horgan, Deputy Deputy Ministers  Don Wright, Trevor Hughes, and Fazil Mihlar; Leader of the Opposition…

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COCA has long supported the development of  a competency certification program for concrete pump operators.  We have taken the position with WorkSafeBC that the status quo is not an option. Currently anyone with a Class 3 Driver’s licence can lease any kind of concrete pump, drive it off the lot and start pumping! The voluntary…

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