May 2024 public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments

WorkSafeBC will be holding a virtual public hearing on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The virtual public hearing will be streamed live on May 14, 2024, in two sessions. The first will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m. View the public hearing live from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. View the public hearing live from…

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Amendment to BC Labour Relations Code Increases Risks for Supply Chain and Businesses in BC during Federal Work Stoppages

RoperGreyell Under the unassuming title – Bill 9, Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 – the BC government has introduced a set of small but significant changes (the “Amendment”) to the BC Labour Relations Code (the “Code”). Specifically, it has amended the definition of “strike” and “person” under the Code so that, as explained in the information bulletin published on March…

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Budget 2024 is ‘a lot of prose and very little substance,’ says MHCA president

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | April 19, 2024 While the budget committed billions to new housing initiatives and to streamlining the impact assessment process, many western Canadian construction leaders saw little movement on infrastructure and no solutions for falling productivity and weak economic growth. Manitoba Heavy Construction Association president Chris Lorenc expressed “profound disappointment” and…

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Industry Perspectives Op-Ed: Trudeau government doubles down on missing the mark

Journal of Commerce | Chris Gardner | April 18, 2024 Earlier this year, public opinion research company Leger published the results of a nationwide poll. One result stood out. Seventy per cent of Canadians agreed with the statement: “It feels like everything is broken in this country right now.” To young people, families and business owners…

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Recent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC | April 16, 2024 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: Undetermined injury (1 worker) Core Activity: Low slope roofing / Crane operation Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2024-Apr…

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May 2024 public hearing on proposed regulatory amendments

WorkSafeBC 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 May 14, 2024, in two sessions. The first will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second from 3 to 5 p.m. Further information on how to view or participate in the virtual…

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2024 New or Revised ACGIH Threshold Limit Values and B.C. Exposure Limits

WorkSafeBC The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation provides that, except as otherwise determined by WorkSafeBC, an employer must ensure no worker is exposed to a substance exceeding the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) prescribed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). Twice a year, the ACGIH publishes a list of substances for which they have set…

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VRCA launches committee to strengthen EDI in construction

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | April 10, 2024 The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) is launching a new committee focused on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). VRCA president Jeannine Martin said members showed enthusiasm for the committee and its goals from the start.   “The goal for the EDI committee was to get good representation across…

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Update on Regulatory Changes to Plumbed Washrooms on Construction Sites

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 regulation, and these changes require…

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Associations mark B.C.’s Construction Month with events and advocacy

Journal of Commerce | Warren Frey | April 3, 2024 British Columbia’s construction associations have big plans this month. April 2024 is the seventh annual BC Construction Month and provincial stakeholders are gearing up to both celebrate the industry and advocate at a policy and collaborative level. “What started seven years ago as a challenge accepted…

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Recognizing Global Asbestos Awareness Week

Journal of Commerce | DCN-JOC News Services  | April 3, 2024 REGINA, SASK. – This week, until April 7, marks Global Asbestos Awareness Week, providing an opportunity to raise awareness about asbestos hazards in the workplace. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material that was regularly used in buildings until the late 1990s. If products containing…

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Recent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC

March 25, 2024 Construction 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: Excavator operation / Paving services or asphalt manufacture Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2024-Mar ID Number: 2024165370012…

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BCCWITT Updates

Sent on behalf of BC Centre for Women in the Trades BCCWITT Events:   BCCWITT Be More Than A Bystander training sessions     We have an upcoming train-the-trainer scheduled at the BCFED Health & Safety Centre (120-4259 Canada Way, Burnaby) from April 10-12, 2024 (9am to 4:30pm) Here is the cohort information with application. April is Construction Month!  Save the date: In…

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Delay in Washroom Facility Regulation Changes

WorkSafeBC | March 21, 2024 Proposed OHS Regulation amendments to Part 20 – Washroom Facilities on Construction Sites, discussed at a public hearing in January, resulted in requested changes. As such, the regulation will not take effect on May 1, 2024. Timing for public consultation will be shared as soon as available.

Day of Mourning – April 28

Join WorkSafeBC in remembering workers in British Columbia who lost their lives as a result of work-related injury or disease. Order free decals or posters for your workplace Day of Mourning ceremony and show your renewed commitment to creating healthy and safe workplaces. Learn more and order »

Women have low injury and death rates in construction sector

Journal of Commerce | Jean Sorensen | March 22, 2024 Despite the recent B.C. fatality of a female construction worker at Vancouver’s Oakridge site, statistics indicate Canadian women are following the U.S. trend of being involved in low percentages of claim incidents and fatalities based upon their representation within the construction sector.    Depending on who does…

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