The provincial government has announced changes to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation relating to washroom facilities at construction sites with 25 or more workers, effective October 1, 2024. The official wording of the changes can be found on the province’s website (PDF). This follows WorkSafeBC’s consultation with employers, construction-sector associations, unions, and workers. Over the…
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On behalf of BC CENTRE FOR WOMEN IN THE TRADES BCCWITT News Connect with BCCWITT! We have a busy fall with our staff taking part in many conferences and conventions… If you’re attending too, we’d love to connect. Stand Up for Safe Workplaces: Interest List and Info Session Our promo for Stand Up for Safe Workplaces is now…
Read MoreRecent Work Related Incidents Reported to WorSafeBC
September 17, 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: Bruising, scratches Core Activity: Mechanized tunnel boring construction Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2024-Jul ID Number: 2024165370030 A worker was…
Read MoreWashroom Facilities on Construction Sites – Guideline Now Available and Open for Comments
The Government of B.C. has announced changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to flushable toilets on construction sites. These changes will come into effect on October 1, 2024. The DRAFT Guideline is available now and is open for feedback and comments for 60 days.
Reminder – New first aid requirements coming into effect
On November 1, 2024, amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation take effect relating to occupational first aid. Employers need to take steps to ensure they meet the new requirements, which will result in changes for many workplaces. Higher-risk industries and remote workplaces will be most affected by the changes. Learn More…. WorkSafeBC News
Employers worry WorkSafeBC accident fund is running low
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | September 10, 2024 Some B.C. employers believe the WorkSafeBC accident fund is run down and needs to change its diet. WorkSafeBC has an accident fund to provide for all present and future payments for injuries in the current year as well as those from previous years. “The accident fund is…
Read MoreFlush toilets to soon arrive at large construction sites across B.C.
CBC News · Posted: Sep 05, 2024 Upcoming change fulfils a long-standing demand from construction workers and labour advocates Flush toilets will soon be required for large job sites in British Columbia. Instead of chemical toilets, construction sites with 25 or more workers will have to start providing flush toilets, hand-washing facilities and clean washrooms next month, according…
Read MoreFlush toilets coming Oct. 1 for B.C. construction sites
Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services | September 6, 2024 VICTORIA – British Columbia construction workers will soon have access to flush toilets on worksites. Changes to the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulation will make it mandatory for sites with 25 or more workers to provide flush toilets, hand-washing facilities and clean washrooms. The…
Read MoreFlush Toilets in Construction – Announcement from Ministry of Labour
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…
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