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…
Read MorePatterson Review – Radio Interviews
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
B.C. employers halt participation in workers’ compensation review
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…
Read MoreB.C. business groups cry bias, pull out of workers’ compensation review
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…
Read MorePatterson Review Update
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…
Read MoreLaunch of the Certified Concrete Pump Operator Program ~ Save the Date!
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…
Read MoreWorkers’ compensation review opportunity to restore benefits: Unions
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 | Russell Hixson | August 6, 2019 While employer associations have stated they have concerns over the timing and vague scope of the current review…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC highlights risks of warm weather work
JOC News Service | August 8, 2019 RICHMOND, B.C.- WorkSafeBC is reminding workers and employers to be mindful of the dangers of heat stress in elevated summer temperatures, which can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms excess sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness and fainting while indicators of heat stroke include an increased breathing…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC expands Prevention Information Line service
Journal Of Commerce | News Service | August 1, 2019 RICHMOND, B.C. – WorkSafeBC is expanding the Prevention Information Line, a toll-free phone service aimed at providing health and safety information for British Columbia workplaces. Just under a third of calls to the service are construction related, with health care at 8.1 per cent, manufacturing at…
Read MoreJuly work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
July 31, 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: Puncture wound (1 worker) Core Activity: Framing or residential forming Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2019-Jul A worker was framing a wood frame wall using an air nailer. The worker took a…
Read MoreB.C. Supreme Court says it will hear CBA petition
Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | July 31, 2019 B.C. construction associations are celebrating a partial legal victory and planning next steps in their fight against the B.C. government’s community benefits agreement framework. The BC Supreme Court passed judgement on June 23 in the case of Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) vs. British Columbia…
Read MoreLicensing recruiters to protect foreign workers
Ministry of Labour | News Release | Friday, July 19, 2019 Foreign workers who help fill labour shortages in a wide range of B.C. sectors will be better protected under a new government licensing requirement for recruiters. Those recruiters who help secure employment in B.C. for foreign workers have until Oct. 1, 2019, to acquire a…
Read MoreB.C. businesses await worker compensation overhaul
Cost, ‘gender-based analysis’ among employer concerns Victoria News | TOM FLETCHER | Jul. 29, 2019 | BUSINESS B.C.’s worker compensation system pulled itself out of an unfunded liability onto a solid financial footing after changes made in 2002, and now employers, injured workers and their families are waiting for the next overhaul. For the full…
Read MoreBC construction associations challenge timing, vagueness of WorkSafeBC review
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 25, 2019 Dozens of employer associations in B.C., including many in the construction industry, have signed a submission outlining concerns over a review of the province’s Workers’ Compensation system which they feel has been rushed and vaguely defined. “A system like Workers’ Compensation is integral to every business…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC enforces $8,000 fine after Saanich worker fatality
JOC News Service | July 23, 2019 VANCOUVER – WorkSafeBC has penalized the Saanich, B.C. location of Cedar Grove Framing Corp. with a $7,944.63 fine for the fatal fall of a worker on Jan 10, 2017 from a framing project for a multi-unit residential building. Carpenter Roland Huetzelmann (age 51) was installing a plywood subfloor on…
Read MoreProposed evidence and decision-making policy amendments
In January 2018, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors commissioned an external compensation policy review. The resulting report, entitled Restoring the Balance: A Worker-Centred Approach to Workers’ Compensation Policy, was published in April 2018 and contains a number of recommendations. Recommendation #32 is for WorkSafeBC to consider incorporating the principles regarding standard of proof and medical evidence from recent…
Read MoreINDUSTRY VOICES OP-ED: Great progress for B.C. workers’ rights and protections
Journal of Commerce | Harry Bains | July 19, 2019 This is an exciting time for British Columbians. Every day, our government focuses on improving the lives of the people of our province – your well-being, prosperity, rights and the services you rely on. My priorities as Minister of Labour continue to be supporting worker health…
Read MoreSAFETY SPOTLIGHT: A closer look at how Canadian safety associations get the word out
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | July 19, 2019 To encourage B.C. workers to stay safe and sound, WorkSafeBC has about 400 health and safety videos available to view and download on worksafebc.com and about 600 videos on its YouTube channel. In addition to its home province, WorkSafeBC shares the videos with other Canadian safety-related organizations,…
Read MoreSICA launches construction awards for B.C. interior
Journal of Commerce | Russell Hixson | July 17, 2019 KELOWNA, B.C. – The Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) will host its first annual Industry Awards of Excellence this year.Awards for the industry were previously held by the Business Examiner magazine, but as part of the association celebrating its 50th year, it will be taking ownership…
Read MoreSPOTLIGHT: WorkSafeBC delivers audio-visual safety experience
Journal of Commerce | Peter Caulfield | July 16, 2019 One sunny summer morning a young man looking for work drives up to a suburban construction site and lucks out. He’s immediately hired as a “back-hoe guy.” But maybe he’s not so lucky, because this is no ordinary job site. A fellow worker is cutting plywood…
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