WorkSafeBCs Board of Directors has approved the release of a proposed consequential amendment to definitions containing former Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) classifications in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback prior to the proposed amendment being taken to public hearing in 2016. View the…
Read MoreRisk awareness web pages now live
Everyone has a role to play in identifying any risk of harm in the workplace. Employers have a particular responsibility to manage those risks. The WorkSafeBC Risk Analysis Unit supports increased awareness by looking for and communicating about certain types of risks that employers and workers may not be aware of or which are difficult…
Read MoreView from the Board: High-risk strategy builds upon last year’s progress
Journal of Commerce ~ by DON SCHOUTEN ~ Jan 26, 2016 Every January, WorkSafeBC renews its provincial high-risk strategy focusing on the biggest safety issues. While it evolves to keep pace with what’s been happening in the industry, each year’s strategy always maintains an emphasis on long-standing problems. But, don’t think we’re living out Albert Einstein’s definition…
Read MoreIndustry Voices: Private workers’ compensation isn’t an option
Journal of Commerce ~ by MERRIL JAMES O’DONNELL ~ Jan 26, 2016 In a recent Vancouver Sun opinion editorial the executive vice president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Laura Jones referred to B.C. businesses that pay premiums to the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) as “customers.” Ms. Jones says she likes to describe businesses as…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC not seeing much bullying in construction
Journal of Commerce ~ by SHANNON MONEO Jan 26, 2016 The construction industry is often portrayed as a workplace where bullying and harassment may go unchecked. And, even though the B.C. government passed Bill 14 in 2012 to amend the Workers’ Compensation Act to specifically address bullying and harassment, claims from the construction industry are only…
Read MoreDecember / January Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury: Lacerated arm Core Activity: Electrical work Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2016-Jan ID Number: 2016157560002 An electrician was severely cut by the utility knife he was using to strip hard plastic wire sheathing from the termination areas of a wire. Injury: Fractured leg, lacerated hand Core Activity: Electrical work Location: Lower Mainland Date…
Read MoreWorkSafe BC Job Posting ~ Manager, Industry and Labour Services (Construction)
Due to recent changes at WorkSafe BC, Don Schouten, our Industry liaison, has been transferred to oversee Utilities in BC (this includes Site C and other large projects). Congratulations Don…we will continue to work with you in this new capacity and very much value your ongoing contribution to Construction. As a result of this change,…
Read MoreHistoric safety case sends project manager to prison
Journal of Commerce by RUSSELL HIXSON ~ Jan 14, 2016 In a rare use of legislation designed to hold employers accountable for harm to employees, a Toronto project manager has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for the death of four workers. The conviction was made possible by the seldon-used Westray Bill. “We were pleased…
Read MoreChanges Effective January 1, 2016
2016 Regulatory Amendments Amendments to the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation made in 2015 are listed here. The online Regulation and excerpts and summaries of the Act are updated once the amendments come into effect. 2016 Policy Updates The Prevention Manual contains policies of WorkSafeBC with respect to prevention matters…
Read MoreWorkplace death rate down two-thirds in B.C. since 1990
But still too many workers dying: union BY GORDON HOEKSTRA, VANCOUVER SUN | JANUARY 5, 2016 4:30 PM VANCOUVER — The rate of workers being killed on the job through injury is falling in British Columbia, including in some of B.C.’s high-risk sectors such as forestry and construction. There is no single factor for the…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC battle with Vancouver-based asbestos firm far from over
Agency seeks new contempt citation against Seattle Environmental BY GORDON HOEKSTRA, VANCOUVER SUN JANUARY 3, 2016 VANCOUVER — WorkSafeBC has applied to B.C. Supreme Court for another contempt order against asbestos-removal company Seattle Environmental and its operators. The province’s chief workplace safety agency argues they have breached a 2012 court order stipulating they not…
Read MoreConsultation on two additional proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
WorkSafeBCs Board of Directors has approved the release of two additional proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback prior to the proposed amendments being taken to public hearing in 2016. The proposed regulatory amendment packages under review are: Section 6.58.1, Substance Specific Requirements,…
Read MoreHappy Holidays from COCA
On behalf of everyone at COCA, we want to thank you for your contributions and insight over the past year. We want to wish you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday season and hope to see you in the new year!
WorkSafeBC Consultation relating to Proposed Amendments for Notice of Project
WorkSafeBC is proposing amendments to Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (“OHSR”) Part 20, relating to notice of project. A proposed amendments relating to notice of project requirements (with explanatory notes) is now posted for public consultation on the WorkSafeBC website at http://www.worksafebc.com/regulation_and_policy/policy_consultation/law_40_10_1260.asp. The public consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide written feedback on…
Read MoreNovember 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Serious laceration of arm Core Activity: Commercial refrigeration or commercial air conditioning work Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2015-Nov ID Number: 2015147280109 A worker was using a freshly sharpened chisel-edged scraping tool (a hand tool) to remove caulking from a refrigeration panel that was being prepared for installation. The tool contacted the…
Read MoreRelease for consultation of proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
WorkSafeBCs Board of Directors has approved the release for consultation of proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The consultation phase provides stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback prior to the proposed amendments being taken to public hearing in 2016. The proposed regulatory amendment packages under review are: Section 4.43.1, General Conditions, new…
Read MoreView from the Board: What to expect from an inspection?
Journal of Commerce ~ Dec 3, 2015 ~ by DAVE BASPALY A WorkSafeBC occupational safety/hygiene officer has the right to inspect your worksite at any reasonable time. The officer does not give advance notice of his visit. He or she may be coming as part of a planned inspection. An officer may be there as a…
Read MoreB.C. Workplace Safety Agency Doubles Number of Fines for Infractions
BY GORDON HOEKSTRA, VANCOUVER SUN DECEMBER 7, 2015 WorkSafeBC has handed out nearly double the amount of fines for industry safety infractions this year and 2014 over the previous two years, part of a new approach to use penalties as deterrents. In 2014, 433 penalties were issued totalling…
Read MoreMOSAIC of BC – Free English for the Construction Trades course
Are you or do you know a new Immigrant looking to improve their job prospects in the Construction Sector? MOSAIC Language Centre is offering a FREE program that will provide workers with English for Construction. REGISTER TODAY because seats are limited. When: November 9, 2015 to March 17, 2016 (with a winter break). Intake until January 06,…
Read MoreOctober 2015 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Penetrating injury to arm Core Activity: Framing or residential forming Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2015-Oct ID Number: 2015173250287 As a worker was climbing a stepladder with a pneumatic nailer, it discharged two nails into the worker’s arm. Injury Type: Partial amputation of finger Core Activity: Structural concrete forming Location: Lower Mainland…
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