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Occupational Health and Safety

September 8, 2008

Ontario not following British Columbia’s lead on drug testing

A drug and alcohol testing policy reached jointly by construction unions and employers in British Columbia is not an indicator of things to come in Ontario, say various industry officials.

September 8, 2008

Funding finally in place to finish top floor of Calgary health centre

A health centre in the heart of Calgary is receiving a fresh capital injection from the provincial government to complete construction and boost accessibility to family doctors.

September 8, 2008

British Columbia awards contract for hospital expansion

The B.C. government announced late last month that a construction contract for the expansion of Kelowna and Vernon Hospitals has been awarded to Infusion Health Services.

September 1, 2008

Number of deaths climbed in 2007 says B.C. Safety Authority

In 2007, there were 329 reported incidents that were directly related to regulated equipment or operations according to the annual report.

September 1, 2008

Drug treatment facility not included in B.C.’s new drug testing policy

The only residential drug treatment centre in western Canada geared specifically to meet the needs of construction workers with substance abuse problems has not been included in B.C.’s new drug testing policy.

August 27, 2008

Saskatchewan changes temporary worker program

Some labour unions in Saskatchewan are skeptical about a joint initiative between the federal and provincial governments to make improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program allows the provincial government to select skilled workers and nominate applicants for landed immigrant status.

August 27, 2008

Unionized construction workers in British Columbia subject to new drug policy

Unionized construction workers, who have a problem with drinking or getting high on the job, are being targeted by a new drug testing program, which is the first of its kind in Canada.

August 25, 2008

New Thunder Bay-to-Alberta shipping route handles cargo bound for oilsands

A new Canadian shipping route will allow cargo to flow to oilsands construction sites in Northern Alberta from Thunder Bay, Ontario.

August 25, 2008

Committee begins draft of Canadian building-commissioning standard

A committee that includes representation from building owners, government agencies and the design and contracting communities is gearing up to draft a long-awaited national standard on building commissioning.

August 20, 2008

British Columbia construction unions and employers reach agreement on drug testing

On August 21, 2008, the Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) of B.C. and the Bargaining Council of British Columbia Building Trades Unions announced that the province’ construction unions and their employers have developed a substance-abuse testing and treatment policy.

August 20, 2008

Canadian Demolition Safety Manual ready for distribution

The Canadian demolition industry’s first-ever safety manual has been published and industry representatives continue to make further inroads with the National Demolition Association (NDA) in the United States.

August 20, 2008

Twelve Algerian employees of SNC-Lavalin die in bus bombing

Twelve Algerian employees of SNC-Lavalin were killed in a terrorist attack on August 20, 2008, while riding on a bus to work on the Koudiat Acerdoune water treatment plant and distribution project in Algeria. Another 15 employees were wounded in the bombing.

August 20, 2008

WorkSafeBC expects drop in base assessment rates for construction industry

For the third year in a row, most WorkSafeBC base assessment rates will drop for employers in B.C.’s construction industry.

August 18, 2008

Denel Trucking employee dies at Calgary industrial site

James Jacob Rintoul, 20, was helping a driver back up an empty truck at low speed in the industrial yard of Volker Stevin Contracting Ltd. when he was crushed under the wheels of a trailer.

August 18, 2008

British Columbia government invests $12 million in Highway 99 improvements

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Kevin Falcon announced on August 1, 2008 that the government will spend $5.2-million for the construction of a new two-lane concrete bridge 13 kilometres south of Lillooet and $7.1-million for paving north of Pemberton.

August 13, 2008

Ontario inspectors conduct jobsite safety blitz aimed at younger workers

Ontario inspectors are now blitzing worksites and locations across the province in order to make an immediate impact on improving health and safety, said Ontario’s labour minister.

August 11, 2008

McMaster study looks at link between diesel fumes and diabetes

The operating engineers’ union supports a study looking at possible connections between diesel fume exposure and diabetes among its members.

August 11, 2008

Ceremony marks construction start on Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital

Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is a public-private-partnership between the Vancouver Island Health Authority and ISL Health.