It’s up to the prime contractor to ensure that each subcontractor has their own COVID-19 safety plan. “Why do subcontractors need to present their own COVID-19 Safety Plan to prime contractors on a multi-employer worksite?” This is one of the questions WorkSafeBC prevention officers have been answering from employers in the construction industry. Here’s why: […]
WorkSafeBC and industry groups are working to ensure COVID-19 health and safety in food processing plants. Industry sectors most affected by COVID-19 are being supported to minimize the spread of the virus. One high-risk sector is food processing. B.C. food processing employers are working hard to update their COVID-19 safety plans and improve protocols for […]
Employers get answers to their questions about how provincial health orders affect business operations. On December 14, Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, updated the public health order. The update affects all employers, and some of the recent requirements include: Employers must ensure that every worker performs a daily health check before entering the […]
Employers can improve workplace safety by following a three-step process to identify and manage tasks that can be particularly affected by fatigue. Unfortunately, many of us are not getting enough sleep. We may try to go to bed early or put up light-blocking curtains, but this doesn’t always help. Without enough sleep, people can end […]
Chelsea, a WorkSafeBC prevention officer, gives tips to employers who are maintaining workplace safety systems along with integrating COVID-19 safety plans. Understandably, B.C. employers are concentrating on their COVID-19 safety plans. But they still need to manage all the other safety risks in their workplaces. “Because we are all so focused on COVID, employers may […]
Actsafe’s safety awards recognize safety leaders in industry. Lori Stewart won Safety Ambassador of the Year for her work to promote concussion awareness. The health and safety organization for B.C.’s arts and entertainment industry is putting the spotlight on some of its greatest safety stars. Actsafe Safety Association announced the winners of its inaugural Safety […]
Ammonia is widely used and is highly toxic. As part of their responsibilities, employers must plan for emergencies and conduct regular inspections. On October 16, 2017, tragedy hit the town of Fernie, B.C. when three workers died while trying to repair an ammonia leak in the cooling system of an ice rink. To prevent this […]
Bears and other wildlife can pose a serious threat to workers in wilderness areas. Employers need to assess the risk and develop an emergency response plan. In the summer of 2018, a hunting guide in a remote part of Northern B.C encountered a grizzly bear with two cubs. The adult bear charged and attacked the […]
To help prevent concrete pumping incidents, stakeholders in B.C.’s construction industry launched a certification program for concrete pump truck operators. Every day, workers on construction sites around the world operate concrete pump trucks to pour ready-made concrete. But when something goes wrong, it can be catastrophic. In 2016, one worker died and another was injured […]
It’s now easier for staff at immigrant-serving organizations to share information about workplace health and safety in B.C. with new immigrants and refugees. In 2016, the Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) opened the ISSofBC Welcome Centre in East Vancouver for newcomers, including immigrants and refugees. The centre is the first integrated service facility of […]
