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Occupational Health and Safety

May 27, 2013

Acetylene torch explosion causes significant damage

A plumber who stored a torch with an acetylene tank in his car is responsible for an explosion that caused a tremendous amount of damage to buildings in Vancouver's West End.

May 27, 2013

Fit to Work program being developed

The B.C. Road Builders Association is working with the B.C. Construction Safety Alliance to develop worker wellness Fit to Work programs and best practices.

May 22, 2013

Hiring of foreign workers for hospital project outrages union

A construction union leader is accusing an Edmonton-based contractor of importing foreign workers to a hospital jobsite in Winnipeg without meeting the federal government's requirements to advertise in the local market and ensuring to Canadians are available to do the work.

May 22, 2013

RFQ issued for Kamloops hospital project

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued for the Royal Inland Hospital Clinical Services Building in Kamloops, B.C.

May 20, 2013

Construction Learning Forum aims to educate

The Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) is hosting its second annual Construction Learning Forum in Whistler, B.C.

May 20, 2013

Essential skills can play a vital role in an apprentices' success

An apprentice's essential Skill level has a critical role in determining his or her success in the trades.

May 20, 2013

Calgary program aims to get more people into the trades

New Canadians and Aboriginals are launching careers in trades, with help from a training program by Momentum in Calgary, Alberta.

May 20, 2013

Industry reacts to surprise B.C. Liberal majority

Many in B.C.'s construction industry are ecstatic about the election of the provincial Liberal Party, as they foresee stable public capital investment over the next four years, but some are concerned about a shortage of skilled labour on major development projects.

May 20, 2013

Industrial construction supervisor program takes off

In the past, there was no way for industrial construction contractors to know whether their foremen had any kind of training, standard education or certification, according to Peter Pilarski, vice president for southern Alberta for the Merit Contractors Association.

May 15, 2013

Journal of Commerce Update for the week of May 20th, 2013

In this week's update, we look at some of the stories we'll be covering in the Journal of Commerce for the week of May 20th, 2013.

May 13, 2013

Building infrastructure boosts the economy

The B.C. Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association believes that infrastructure development is the key to growing our economy and for providing a better future for British Columbians.

May 13, 2013

Work begins on Saskatchewan kids' hospital

Work is underway to prepare the site for the eventual construction of the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan (CHS), as the design development is approved.

May 13, 2013

Saskatchewan hospital construction

Construction has started on a new regional hospital in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It is integrating lean methodology into the design, functioning and culture of the facility.

May 8, 2013

$120 million grain terminal expansion is underway

Richardson International Limited has started construction on an expansion project at its port terminal facility in North Vancouver, but the new concrete grain storage annex could have a serious impact on nearby residents.

May 6, 2013

Saskatchewan labour laws radically overhauled in Bill 85

Updating labour legislation in Saskatchewan has become a contentious issue in the province.

May 6, 2013

B.C. hosts launch of NAOSH week

Across B.C., Canada, and North America, workplaces will be marking North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week, May 5-11, with events, competitions, and public awareness campaigns.

May 6, 2013

Guards back at work after strike about prison design

The union representing Alberta prison guards has reached an agreement with the provincial government, after launching a wildcat strike over design flaws and safety concerns at the newly constructed Edmonton Remand Centre (ERC).

May 6, 2013

Manitoba unveils its new safety plan

Manitoba has a new five-year strategic plan to prevent workplace injury and illness that includes doubling the funding for prevention services.

May 1, 2013

Fallen workers remembered across the country

The construction industry in Alberta and B.C. accounted for the highest number of work related deaths last year, as a number of ceremonies were held across Canada to recognize and mourn workers, who died on the job.

May 1, 2013

Saskatchewan company fined

A Saskatoon construction company has been fined for violating a labour safety law.

May 1, 2013

Explosion rocks Vancouver Island jobsite

A propane tank stored in a shipping container exploded at a residential construction site in Saanich, B.C.

May 1, 2013

Possible project labour agreements a concern to open shop

The open shop contractors association in B.C. is concerned an New Democratic Party (NDP) government will use project labour agreements to allow trade unions to dominate major public sector construction projects, but others argue this view is nonsense.

May 1, 2013

Prison guard union found in contempt of court after striking over design flaws at Edmonton Remand Centre

The union representing Alberta prison guards has been found in contempt of court and ordered to return to work, after launching a wild cat strike over design flaws and safety concerns at the newly constructed Edmonton Remand Centre.

April 29, 2013

Saskatchewan highway patrol able to issue tickets

Saskatchewan's highway patrol officers now have the power to issue speeding tickets.

April 29, 2013

Canada lends a hand for Afghan hospital project

The Bamyan Provincial Hospital project in Afghanistan is entering the next stage after holding a foundation-laying ceremony recently.