Injury Type: Broken ribs, lacerations to upper body (1 worker); bruising (1 worker) Core Activity: Framing or residential forming Location: Lower Mainland Date of Incident: 2017-Mar ID Number: 2017175280003 Two workers at a house were pushing an exterior wall that had been lying over a floor opening. They fell through the opening to grade (about…
Read MoreSurrey firefighter’s suicide ruled work-related, benefits awarded to family
Vancouver Sun | KENT SPENCER | Published on: March 5, 2017 Encouraging news has come to the family of the late Ernie Dombrowski, a Surrey firefighter who took his own life two years ago after suffering workplace trauma. WorkSafe B.C., a provincial agency that pays compensation for employment-related injuries, has determined his death was due…
Read MoreB.C. pushes for continuous safety improvement
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by PETER CAULFIELD | Mar 6, 2017 Thirty-six years ago, on Jan. 7 1981, four workers died during the construction of the Bentall Centre in downtown Vancouver when a fly-form used for pouring concrete broke away from the top of Tower Four. Speaking on this year’s anniversary of the accident, the president…
Read MoreFamily seeks answers in working at heights death
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by SHANNON MONEO | Mar 2, 2017 The brother of a construction worker who fell 35 feet says his death was not a freak accident. “It was 100 per cent preventable,” said Joe Huetzelmann. “I’m going to try to do justice for my brother. I have family looking to me for answers….
Read MoreB.C. budget slashes taxes, builds infrastructure
Journal of Commerce | GOVERNMENT | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Feb 27, 2017 The construction industry is applauding B.C.’s 2017 budget, stating it reaps the benefits of fiscal responsibility. And it isn’t just because of money to be spent on infrastructure. New tax measures are also earning praise from industry leaders. The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) of British Columbia…
Read MoreAsbestos removers’ ‘nonsense’ lawsuit against WorkSafe B.C. tossed out
Gordon Hoekstra | Vancouver Sun | Published on: March 1, 2017 A B.C. Supreme Court judge has thrown out a lawsuit by an asbestos removal company against WorkSafe B.C., labelling the suit “arrant nonsense.” It’s the fourth such lawsuit against WorkSafe B.C. launched by Mike Singh, who operates Seattle Environmental Consulting Ltd., and his son Shawn…
Read MoreChanging the conversation about workplace substance use
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by DAVE EARLE | Feb 21, 2017 Marijuana is portrayed as everything from a harmless, miracle substance to this century’s largest public and occupational health and safety risk. Employers have to decide to test or not to test, manage risk or prohibition, discipline or assist. With the federal government’s commitment…
Read MoreScott new B.C. Roadbuilders Association President
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by JOC NEWS SERVICE | Feb 16, 2017 BURNABY, B.C. – Steve Drummond Chair of the BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association has announced the appointment of Kelly Scott as its new president. Scott is well known to the industry in Western Canada. He has held senior leadership…
Read MoreJanuary 2017 Recent work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC
Injury Type: Fatal (1 worker); electrical injuries (1 worker) Core Activity: Siding, awning, or gutter installation, service, or repair Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C. Date of Incident: 2017-Feb ID Number: 2017174090003 During a gutter repair job, an aluminum extension ladder contacted overhead electrical conductors. One worker was fatally injured; another was seriously injured and was airlifted…
Read MoreBoard of Directors Approves 2017-2019 Regulatory Amendment Workplan
At its January 2017 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved the 2017-2019 Regulatory Amendment Workplan. The Workplan consists of 15 proposed amendment projects and 3 additional projects requiring preliminary work. View the full Workplan.
Jack Davidson exits B.C. Road Builders Association
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by RUSSELL HIXSON | Feb 6, 2017 Jack Davidson, who started at the B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association 18 years ago, has learned how to do a lot with a little. During his time with the association he helped oversee sweeping safety changes and developed fruitful relationships with…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC Board of Directors approves amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
At its January 2017 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approved amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. The approved amendments relate to the following: Section 1.1, Definitions: Consequential amendments to definitions for combustible and flammable liquids Section 4.56, General Conditions: Work area guards and handrails Sections 4.81, 4.82, and 28.9, General Conditions: Environmental tobacco…
Read MoreChris Gardner named new ICBA president
Journal of Commerce | ASSOCIATIONS | by JOC NEWS SERVICE | Feb 7, 2017 VANCOUVER – The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association of British Columbia (ICBA) has announced Chris Gardner as its new president. Gardner replaces Gord Stewart, who was appointed to the role in December of last year. Stewart will remain with the organization as…
Read MoreInvisible factors impact post-injury return to work timing
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by PETER CAULFIELD | Feb 9, 2017 It used to be that bio-medical — physical — factors were thought to be the only variables which impacted the timing and condition of an injured person’s return to work. However, it is being increasingly recognized that other invisible factors — social…
Read MoreShould more time-loss work injuries be covered by workers’ comp?
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by PETER CAULFIELD | Feb 7, 2017 More time-loss work injuries should be covered by workers’ compensation, says a British Columbia researcher and consultant. “Despite the legislative intent of workers’ compensation laws, the reality is that many — perhaps most — of those workers who miss time from work due…
Read MoreProposed policy amendments regarding the Partners in Injury and Disability Prevention Program (Partners Program)
At their meeting on December 14, 2016, WorkSafeBCs Board of Directors (BOD) approved the release of a discussion paper and draft policies regarding the Partners Program for stakeholder review and comment. The Partners Program is a voluntary program designed to encourage employers in B.C. to take a proactive role in occupational health and safety. Employers…
Read More2017–2019 Occupational Health and Safety Regulatory Amendment Workplan approved
Section 228 of the Workers Compensation Act requires that WorkSafeBC regularly review and consult on its regulations to ensure they are consistent with current practices and technological advances. WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors has approved the 2017–2019 Regulatory Amendment Workplan, which will be available in early February. In developing the Workplan, the Policy, Regulation and Research…
Read MoreAmendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation approved – January 2017
At their January 2017 meeting, WorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors (BOD) approved 14 amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation. Strikethrough versions of the approved amendments, along with explanatory notes and the related BOD Resolution, will be available for reference in early February. The amendments relate to the following: Section 1.1, Definitions, consequential amendments…
Read MoreWorkSafeBC’s Board of Directors approves consultation on Partners Program policies
About the Partners Program WorkSafeBC’s Partners Program is designed to encourage employers in B.C. to adopt an occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS). An OHSMS is a coordinated and systematic approach to managing health and safety. Effective OHSMSs help make workplaces safer by improving organizations’ ability to address occupational health and safety concerns, and…
Read MoreCourt of Appeal overturns controversial asbestos ruling
Journal of Commerce | OH&S | by RUSSELL HIXSON Feb 1, 2017 The BC Insulators Union and the BC Federation of Labour are celebrating the B.C. Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn a controversial ruling that stated asbestos laws were too difficult to enforce. The union and federation leaders are also calling on government to require…
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