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….
Read MoreWorkSafeBC recommending changes to improve crane safety in B.C.
New risk-reduction strategy is based on a comprehensive review of crane safety and informed by stakeholder input and feedback. WorkSafeBC says the risks associated with cranes in B.C. are increasing as more cranes are in operation than ever before, and this work is taking place on increasingly complex, multi-employer worksites. In 2021, a tower crane…
Read MoreConstruction Conversations: Falcon stresses thinking ‘totally differently’ when tackling labour crisis
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | June 19, 2024 BURNABY, B.C. – Another B.C. political leader is connecting with construction as the province inches towards an election. The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) hosted its second Construction Conversations session recently with BC United Leader Kevin Falcon speaking with association president Jeannine Martin about the issues facing…
Read MoreUPDATE: New WorkSafeBC recommendations to ‘address gaps in crane safety’
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | June 18, 2024 RICHMOND, B.C. – WorkSafeBC says the risks associated with crane use in B.C. are rising as more and more projects get underway, and as such new recommendations have been released in the hopes of keeping sites safe. In July 2021, a tower crane collapse in Kelowna, B.C. took five lives…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
June 6, 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: Close call Core Activity: Road construction Location: Interior B.C. Date of Incident: 2024-May ID Number: 2024160850016 During blasting operations, a single…
Read MoreCompanies charged after 2022 deaths of two workers on Alberta oil and gas site
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | June 11, 2024 EDMONTON – Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) has laid charges against a number of companies after a 2022 incident where two men died in an explosion at an oil and gas site located in Smith, Alta. north of Edmonton. In recently released documents, Alberta OH&S…
Read MoreMore workers will receive easier access to mental-health supports
BC Gov News | Victoria | Monday, June 10, 2024 8:00 AM More workers from select occupations will be provided with easier access to workers’ compensation for psychological injuries caused by work-related trauma. Effective Monday, June 10, 2024, 11 new occupations added to the mental-health presumption under the Workers Compensation Act include community-integration specialists, coroners, harm-reduction…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Engagement Hub
WorkSafeBC has an Engagement Hub Home Page that highlights regulations out for public engagement with WorkSafeBC stakeholders. You can learn about and share your thoughts on current topics, projects, and proposals led by WorkSafeBC. Currently, there are hubs for Washroom Facilities on Construction Sites, Violence and Harassment and Duty to Cooperate and Duty to Maintain…
Read MoreWhy B.C. trades workers are demanding nasal naloxone on construction sites
Vancouver Sun | Lori Culbert | Published Jun 03, 2024 Grassroots group adds its voice to calls for simple, nasal spray naloxone on work sites to save the labourers most at risk of overdosing The list is long and tragic as carpenter C. Michael Kinsella recounts memories of friends lost to fatal overdoses. There was the…
Read MoreRecovery Informed Workplace (breakfast session)
Session synopsis: Hear how construction workplaces are becoming Recovery Informed and empowering workers with substance use and mental health challenges. Employers recognize a gap between the needs of workers facing substance use and mental health issues and the ability of the healthcare system to address them. The construction industry is rising to the challenge by embracing…
Read MoreUBC Research Participation Opportunity
An occupational health and safety management approach and tool specific to small and micro construction firms https://pwhs.ubc.ca/research/policy-and-program-evaluation/an-ohsm-approach-and-tool-specific-to-small-and-micro-construction-firms Background Recruitment Contact: If you would like to learn more about this project, please contact Suhail Marino at suhail.marino@ubc.ca or 604-822-0200.