BC's Construction Health & Safety Association
Construction is booming, the CCPO deadline is looming
 
We haven’t even reached the mid-way point of 2023 and construction is booming across the province, from residential and commercial to infrastructure. Summer may be even hotter — and we’re not talking about the weather.
 
With so many vehicles on the road, it’s a good time to review safe driving and operation skills for construction vehicles. If you’re a TCP on the province’s busy roads and your card is nearing expiry, consider renewing as soon as possible. You can complete the TCP renewal course in as little as one day.
 
The BCCSA trade show booth has also seen a lot of recent activity. You may have seen us at the Construction Expo on April 29th and 30th in Surrey and at the Western Conference on Safety in Vancouver on May 1st and 2nd. Both events were well-attended, and BCCSA staff members always enjoy an opportunity to connect with members.
 
Last month, we reminded readers that on January 1, 2024, provincial regulations will require all concrete pump operators to be certified. Since then, that deadline has moved about 30 days closer. It’s not too late to enroll in the Certified Concrete Pump Operator (CCPO) program, which can be accessed via the CCPO website.

While training is not a pre-requirement to register for CCPO, those who are interested in training can register through Concrete BC. You can still sign up for in-person and online training on Saturday, June 24 and Saturday, September 23 in plenty of time for the 2024 deadline.
 
As the summer progresses, remember that the BCCSA offers wildfire resources to assist employers with developing a fire safety plan. You can download the BC Wildfire Service mobile app from the App Store and Google Play to receive push notifications for current wildfire information.
 
With four new hires in January, the BCCSA’s Regional Safety Advisor (RSA) team has expanded to seven members.

Finally, if you’re a contractor working in the Lower Mainland whose work involves cutting ceramics, the BCCSA is looking for your help. We’re undertaking important new research to determine the best method to measure lead content in ceramic tile glazes, so that contractors can devise effective exposure control plans. Read all about the ceramics research initiative here. 

As always, we welcome your feedback!
Calling all cutters: if you cut ceramic tiles, the BCCSA needs your help for lead-detection research
The BCCSA is launching a research program designed to reliably measure lead exposure resulting from the dust generated by cutting through ceramic tile glazes.
 
The lead poses little hazard if the glaze remains undisturbed, but lead-containing dust can be released when the tiles are cut or disturbed.
 
The lead subcommittee of the Alliance’s Fire, Flood & Restoration Program Technical Advisory Committee has sought guidance on ceramic glazes, because contractors are required to create exposure control plans for lead. However, there’s no official guidance in BC on the level of risk of exposure to lead from ceramic tiles.

Certified Concrete Pump Operator program
Featured Safety Course
COR® Internal Auditor

This 2 day course provides participants with comprehensive information on conducting health & safety program audits utilizing the BCCSA’s COR® OHS National Audit Document. Participants complete exercises designed to prepare them for conducting a company audit. This course is for both qualifying and requalifying internal auditors.

Date: June 14 & 15, 2023
Location: NRCA - 3851 18th Ave, Prince George
Time: 8:00am to 4:00pm

Please click here for a Course Overview

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BCCSA Head Office
#400, 625 Agnes Street
New Westminster, BC V3M 5Y4
Tel: 604-636-3675
TF: 1-877-860-3675