Public consultation is central to the way they do business at WorkSafeBC. The Policy, Regulation and Research Division (PRRD) engages directly with stakeholders to ensure transparency and effectiveness when developing the policies and regulations that govern occupational health and safety, compensation, and assessments. Every year, the PRRD consults with stakeholders to help establish priorities for…

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At their meeting on March 30, 2017, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amending the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation by adding section 4.43.1, storage racks. The new B.C. storage rack regulation takes effect January 1, 2018. This regulation governs the installation, inspection, use, and maintenance of steel storage racks. It excludes shelving and display fixtures…

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The British Columbia Building Envelope Council (BCBEC) is hosting the 15th Canadian Conference on Building Science and Technology (CCBST) from November 6-8, 2017. This three-day conference provides the platform for industry-wide knowledge exchange and thought-provoking conversation. Register Now.  Register early to confirm your seat and take advantage of discounted rates. Registration questions? Email CCBST2017 at: society@telus.net or…

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Published on: September 29, 2017 WorkSafeBC announced today that the preliminary average base rate for 2018 will be 1.55 percent of employers’ assessable payroll. General Construction – search for your sub-sector here ICI sector — a decrease  from 2.74 to 2.26 per $100 of payroll WorkSafeBC is committed to preventing workplace injury and illness and…

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Injury Type: Soft tissue injuries Core Activity: Fire sprinkler system installation and/or service Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2017-Aug ID Number: 2017165370048 A young worker was walking on the floor of a building under construction when the floor material broke, causing the worker to fall between the floor joists. Injury Type: Penetrating injury to…

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WorkSafeBC has produced a new safety resource about constructing pipelines that may be of interest to your audiences. The Pipeline Construction Inspection Guide is aimed at helping employers, owners and workers understand the key health and safety requirements for pipeline construction operations. Alongside a glossary of terms, the guide lays out WorkSafeBC’s regulatory jurisdiction over pipelines…

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Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Sep 20, 2017 Sweeping recommendations to transform Alberta’s Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has the Alberta Construction Association (ACA) deeply concerned. The association has been poring over the 189-page report and its 60 recommendations since it was delivered to the provincial government this summer by an independent review panel….

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Journal of Commerce | TECHNOLOGY  | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Sep 20, 2017 Safety information is now just a swipe away for workers in Saskatchewan. At more than 500 pages, the OH&S Regulations and Saskatchewan Employment Act is a daunting document to wade through while on a jobsite or even carry around. The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA)…

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Every day, 26 young workers are injured on the job -— that’s one person every 55 minutes. Starting a new job, especially a first job, can be a little scary, but it shouldn’t be dangerous. That’s why WorkSafeBC needs your help to better understand young workers’ awareness of workplace health and safety issues. This is…

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Journal of Commerce  | OH&S  | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Aug 25, 2017 WorkSafeBC is focusing its latest campaign on warning contractors about the danger asbestos poses to their workers and businesses. Asbestos-abatement, demolition and general contracts are all the subject of the new mailer campaign urging them to keep workers safe. More than 15,000 mailers have been…

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Journal of Commerce | OH&S |  by JOC NEWS SERVICE  | Aug 18, 2017 EDMONTON – The Alberta government is launching a review of the province’s health and safety system, which has not been revamped since 1976. Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act sets minimum standards for workplace health and safety and lists the roles and…

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Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Crane operation Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2017-Jul ID Number: 2017175270007 A tower crane was hoisting two concrete test blocks before the start of a daily shift. As the second test block was hoisted, the load line failed, sending the two test blocks and load block to the…

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On the heels of the Asbestos homeowner campaign WorkSafeBC has launched a targeted contractor awareness initiative to support their Prevention Field Services work in construction.  Their purpose is to get the word out directly to contractors regarding their obligation to manage asbestos safely and responsibly. Their communication strategy… Approximately 14,500 asbestos mailers are being mailed…

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Journal of Commerce | OH&S  | by JOC NEWS SERVICE | Aug 3, 2017 VANCOUVER — WorkSafeBC is warning Vancouver workers to take precautions as the temperature climbs past 30 C this week. WorkSafeBC recommends outdoor workers drink water every 20 minutes, wear light-coloured, loose fitting clothing made of breathable fabric and do the hardest physical work during the…

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Not dealing with asbestos properly can result in WorkSafeBC fines or stop work orders that could harm your professional reputation.  More importantly there is a risk to workers and contractors have a responsibility to ensure their safety. Asbestos exposure remains the number one killer of workers in B.C. Whether you’re a general contractor, abatement contractor…

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Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by WARREN FREY  | Jul 28, 2017 WorkSafeBC has launched a safety campaign aimed at raising awareness among young workers who could be at risk on the job. The Listen to Your Gut campaign encourages young workers to speak up when faced with what they perceive as an unsafe situation. Safety awareness…

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Injury Type: Close call Core Activity: Steep slope roofing Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2017-Jul ID Number: 2017114550019 A worker fell about 8 feet from a narrow section of roof but his fall was arrested by a fall protection system. Injury Type: Fractured arm Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or…

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The new Premier has issued directions to each of his new Ministers. See the mandate for Minister Bains, Minister of Labour.

Journal of Commerce | by RUSSELL HIXSON  | Jul 19, 2017 An independent review panel has presented the Alberta government with recommendations to modernize its Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). But a first glance has some construction industry stakeholders concerned. The WCB system provides no-fault benefits and supports a safe return to work for injured workers. The last…

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Journal of Commerce | GOVERNMENT | by JOC NEWS SERVICE | Jul 12, 2017 Burnaby, B.C. – Charges have been approved for a Surrey, B.C. woman who allegedly struck two construction flaggers with a car before fleeing the scene. The woman is 38-year-old Brenda Ouma Aregay of Surrey, B.C. The charges include two counts of Assault with a Weapon,…

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