ECAO 2021 Social Event | May 19, 2021 |
Mark your Calendars!
We are thrilled to announce the date for ECAO's 2021 Social Event on May 19, followed by ECAO AGM, on May 20th. We have planned an electrifying evening for you!
The social event will start off with a virtual teambuilding experience. The year is 2037, and space tourism has reached a Golden Age. You have been asked to join a small crew on a routine mission to a lunar outpost.
Following our space journey, we have some comic relief with our guest entertainment from one of Canada’s most exciting comedic performers Graham Chittenden.
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In Memorial of Mr. Fred Black |
It is will heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Fred Black on March 25. Fred was not only a member of the ECAO team for many years building the Certi-Fire Program, but he was a major contributor to many industries and government committees representing ECAO contractor members. Fred received the ECAO DJB Wright award last year for his lifetime commitment to the betterment of the unionized electrical contracting industry. Many of you have had the opportunity to work with Fred over his career and he will be sorely missed but always remembered.
"Golf, grandkids, and Certi-Fire; Fred did not hesitate in speaking about all of these passions. Family and our electrical/communications industry were clearly Fred’s driving forces. I feel fortunate to have worked with and gotten to know Fred, and will always cherish his kindness, dedication, and valued mentorship. On behalf of all of us at ECAO, JEPP, Certi-Fire, and the various committees to which Fred contributes- Thank You and Rest in Peace." – Graeme Aitken, ECAO Executive Director
“My deepest condolences for the loss of my co-worker and mentor, Fred Black. Fred was not just a mere colleague for me but also a very generous man. May his soul rest in peace. May God give your family the strength to bear this loss.” – Phyllis Lee, Certi-Fire Program Administrator
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ECAO Fire Alarm & Protection Certification Program - Distant Learning Level 1 Course Coming in Spring 2021 |
HURRY UP! The Distant Learning Level 1 Course will be commencing soon!
It will start on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 6:30 pm in the evening and take 3 hours per week and up to 12 weeks to complete the course depending on the participants’ schedule. There will be a hands-on workshop taking place on one weekend.
The Certi-Fire program is recognized and approved by the Ontario Fire Marshal. It provides the licensed Electricians with the certification to meet the requirements and resolve the property management fire alarm concerns for proper fire alarm installation, testing, verification, and maintenance. There are four (4) consecutive levels in this program and recertification is mandatory every five (5) years to stay current with the code.
Level 1: Conventional Fire Alarm Control Panels and Installation of Input and Output Devices
Level 2: Integrated Fire Alarm Control EVAC Systems and Fire Alarm Extinguishing Control Panels
Level 3: Troubleshooting of Complete Fire Alarm Systems
Level 4: Advanced Fire Alarm Control Panel: Addressable Digital and Analog Devices
Level 5 (Recertification): Update Codes, Standards and Technology
To register please contact our Certi-Fire Program Administrator at [email protected] or 1-800-387-3226 ext. 8509 for more information.
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Construction workers soon eligible for COVID vaccines |
The Ontario government has updated the Guidance for Prioritization of Phase 2 Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination to include construction workers in the “second group of essential workers who cannot work from home”.
The category now includes “workers in manufacturing industries directly involved in supporting the COVID-19 response, construction including infrastructure, and other essential businesses and services where facilities are at heightened risk for COVID-19 outbreaks and spread.”
As a result of the change, all construction workers will have access to COVID-19 vaccines a month earlier than the general public – possibly as early as June.
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Questions and Answers about COVID 19 and Vaccines |
ECAO contractor owners continue to have questions about vaccinations for employees now that construction has been added to Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout. Below are some key questions you may have and the resources for answers:
Q) Where can I access information about vaccination for myself and my employees?
Q) When can you get the Vaccine?
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Government of Ontario survey: Share your COVID-safe workplace experiences and YOU COULD WIN A $200 Visa gift card! |
Please share with your Employees
We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has created new challenges for keeping our workplaces safe. And it continues to create new challenges as we see the spread of new, more transmissible variants of COVID-19 across Ontario. The Government of Ontario is working with employers and employment organizations across Ontario to help the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) learn more about employees’ experiences with COVID-19 in the workplace. MLTSD has requested your support in completing a short survey, in order to better understand and improve the effectiveness of COVID-safe workplace guidance. With your input, MLTSD can develop more effective guidance to help keep workplaces open and safe. Please scroll down to learn more about the survey.
Sharing your experiences takes just 15 minutes. What they learn from this survey can have a huge impact on improving workplace safety guidance AND you could win 1 of 3 $200 Visa gift cards! The survey closes on April 14.
Thank you for taking the time to share your opinions about keeping Ontario workplaces safe during this difficult time. This information will help us keep workplaces open and create safer workplaces.
COVID-19 Safety in the Workplace survey details:
What will you be asked about?
- Experiences of COVID-safe behaviour in the workplace, especially mask-use.
- Feedback on potential designs for workplace posters.
Why participate?
- Employees who participate in the survey can enter to win 1 of 3 $200 Visa gift cards.
- Your answers can provide vital information to help the Ontario government’s COVID-response, such as through improving the effectiveness of workplace safety guidance.
What will MLTSD do with the results?
- Answers are confidential. Employees’ contact info (email) will be de-linked in the survey platform from individuals’ answers.
- This survey will be used to help the Ontario government respond to COVID-19. None of the information collected will be used to enforce compliance or to record non-compliance with any preventative health measures.
Who can I contact if I have questions?
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If you have any questions about the survey you can reply to this email, or contact MLTSD at [email protected].
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CSA Report on EV Energy Management Systems |
As the number of electric vehicles increase, so does the necessity for additional electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), and subsequently, increased electrical infrastructure capacity. CSA Group's research report on Electric Vehicle Energy Management Systems explores possible configurations for the required infrastructure.
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY |
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Pandemic putting ‘health’ back into health and safety, says OCS panellist |
The pandemic is helping to “put the ‘health’ back into health and safety” in the construction industry.
That’s the message from Modern Niagara’s vice-president Erin Oliver, one of four speakers on a panel examining the state of health and safety in a post-pandemic world at the Ontario Construction Secretariat’s virtual convention recently.
Infection control through improved sanitation is a case in point, Oliver told viewers, noting that clear, concise communication messaging, often in the form of “brief snippets,” has helped workers digest an otherwise enormous challenge.
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WSIB FAQs about claims and COVID-19 |
The WSIB has compiled a list of Q and A’s for both employees and employers around the claims of COVID 19 cases. We recommend members filter out the COVID-related claims from the experience rating report so that it does not show when reporting in bid documents.
This particular question and answer is one members may find useful in how to deal with claims:
Q-My submitted COVID-19 claims appear on my account statements, reports and Compass. Are the costs associated with these claims included in my rates?
A-No, costs associated with COVID-19 related claims are not allocated at an employer or class level. Instead, they are allocated on a schedule-wide basis and your individual claims will not be applied in the calculation of your rates.
The claims will still appear on your accident cost statement and Workplace Injury Summary Reports for claims management, transparency and Canada Revenue Agency reporting purposes.
WSIB has enhanced Compass to include a new filter that allows you to analyze and share your claim information with or without COVID-19 related claims. Visit online services to analyze rates and past claims costs with Compass.
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Ontario construction fatalities stable in 2020 while critical injuries spike |
Last year finished off with the most deadly month Ontario’s construction sector has seen in the past five years but data reveals that overall 2020 was no worse than 2017 and not as lethal as 2018.
Statistics on construction deaths and injuries released in late January by the province’s chief prevention officer (CPO) indicate that the highest fatality figures since 2016 were in 2017 (22), 2018 (25) and 2020 (22). In the last five years, the months of March, August, November and December had the highest totals of fatalities, and commercial construction and single-home construction were the most dangerous sub-sectors, registering the highest number of fatalities.
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ESA 2021 Safety Awards Call for Nominations Now Open! Submit Your Nomination by June 4 |
Have you encountered electrical safety hazards or identified safety issues that, if not addressed, could have posed a serious threat to a homeowner, a family, or the community? Or perhaps you or someone you know has created an initiative or program that helps keep people safe from electrical harm.
If you have a story to tell, ESA wants to hear from you! We want to celebrate and recognize your contributions that make Ontario a safer place to live, work and play - in the workplace or in the community.
Submit your nomination today!
Submissions are accepted up until June 4, 2021, in the following three categories:
- Powerline Safety
- Worker Safety
- Consumer and Home Safety
The awards will be presented on Sept. 30, 2021.
Here’s how to submit a nomination:
Visit www.esasafe.com/2021Awards and either download the form or fill out the online version. ESA is here to support you with the entry process. If you need clarification on how to enter or for anything regarding the submission process, please reach out to ESA at [email protected].
Nomination deadline: June 4, 2021
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INDUSTRY EVENTS & WEBINARS |
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NETCO Training Conference 2021 |
The National Electrical Trade Council (NETCO) is pleased to invite you to participate virtually in the annual NETCO National Training Conference to be held May 5 & 6, 2021.
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EFC's Ontario Region Presents: Ontario Electrical Safety Code Update Webinar on May 13 |
Gain an in-depth understanding of key updates to the latest edition of the CE Code. The Code is an integral part of the Canadian Electrical Safety System and speaker Ray Yosef, Engineering Manager, ESA, is gearing the presentation to give members an update on the major changes in CE Code 2021. This will include some changes in the general sections as well as supplementary sections, such as:
- New GFCI protection requirements for receptacles located outdoors,
- Installations in farm buildings housing livestock,
- Energy storage systems and Electrical Vehicles installations,
- and more!
Thursday, May 13th, 2021
9:00 AM EST | $49.00 pp
Register for this event to get answers to your specific questions from an experienced expert.
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GWIC Construction's Premier Leadership and Talent Management Conference |
Reboot · Reconnect · Reimagine
GWIC is much more than just a conference—it serves as a catalyst that helps women expand their presence, influence and career success in an ever-shifting industry—and to share, learn, challenge and inspire in their organizations. It also has grown into the leading talent development and networking event for construction industry professionals!
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EB PowerCon Runs till April 23, 2021 |
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