The National Research Council of Canada has launched a Public Review to provide feedback on proposed changes to Codes Canada Publications, listed below: National Building Code of Canada 2015 (NBC) National Fire Code of Canada 2015 (NFC) National Plumbing Code of Canada 2015 (NPC) You can have your say from October 22, 2019 to December 23, 2019…
Read MoreKiewit and supervisors to face trial for worker death
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | November 1, 2019 After a decade of pressure, Peter Kiewit Sons and engineer Timothy Rule will face a trial for the 2009 death of B.C. rock scaler Samuel Fitzpatrick. The court has set aside 33 days for the case to be heard in Vancouver. It will begin in November…
Read MoreConsultation on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
The Policy, Regulation and Research Division is requesting feedback on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before the proposed amendments are taken to public hearing. The proposed regulatory amendment packages under review are: Part 18, Traffic Control, multiple sections — Align the traffic…
Read MoreChanges to the Workers Compensation Act
The Government of B.C. has confirmed that changes to the language and numbering of the Workers Compensation Act, which they had proposed last year, will come into effect on April 6, 2020. These amendments are not substantive in content but will require WorkSafeBC, associations, and employers to update materials that reference the Act. The changes include…
Read More2019 Fall public hearings on proposed regulatory amendments
October 21, 2019 WorkSafeBC will be holding public hearings for proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation regarding: Part 8, Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment, section 8.24, High visibility apparel Part 16, Mobile Equipment, with consequential amendments to 9 other Parts Part 20, Construction, Excavation and Demolition, section 20.47, Equipment inspection Part 21, Blasting Operations…
Read MoreRecent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
October 15, 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: Multiple injuries, temporary loss of consciousness Core Activity: Masonry Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2019-Sep A worker was on a 3-foot-high work platform, installing overhead masonry brick around an elevator shaft….
Read MoreBCLI Consultation Paper on the Builders Lien Act
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…
Read MoreNRCA takes site bullying head on through education
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…
Read More2019 BC Construction Health & Safety Conference
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…
Read MorePublic hearings on proposed regulatory amendments
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…
Read MoreIndustry Special: BCCSA now offering Certified Concrete Pump Operator certification, a North American first
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…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC warns homeowners of asbestos danger
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…
Read MorePCA calls B.C. community benefit agreements “fake CBAs”
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…
Read MoreBC Housing – Building Smart with Sound Principles and Noise Control in Homes
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…
Read MoreUpcoming WorkSafeBC Public Hearings
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,…
Read MoreBCCSA concrete pump operator certification a North American first
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…
Read MoreMartin was a “tireless advocate” and VRCA champion: Famulak
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…
Read MoreAugust 2019 work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
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….
Read MoreWorkers in all occupations are aging – what about those in construction?
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,…
Read MoreBuilding Smart: Designing Building Enclosures in Wood-Frame Multi-Unit Construction
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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