|
In this issue: the BCCSA’s Peer Support Recovery Navigator program invites new training candidates, winter safety tips, Ask an RSA looks at worker transportation safety, and BC construction safety associations celebrate a milestone
New training dates announced for the BCCSA’s Peer Support Recovery Navigator (PSRN) Program
The Peer Support Recovery Navigator (PSRN) Program — a BCCSA initiative developed in partnership with national education and addiction expert Dr. Paul Farnan — celebrated the graduation of its first 10 PSRNs on October 3rd. The PSRN Program has just announced two new training sessions: January 16, 2026, at the Executive Plaza Inn in Coquitlam and February 6, 2026, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Prince George. Participants will be trained to offer early, confidential, peer-based intervention to their co-workers before personal substance use challenges can escalate into safety risks, incidents, or lost time. If you’re an employer or worker interested in the program, learn more about the qualities that make a great PSRN and apply for the next Education and Training Day here. All candidates selected for these sessions will receive their training at no cost.
It’s almost winter...
... but weather conditions have already changed across the province. With winter weather comes the risks of:
- Snow and ice-covered surfaces, which make driving hazardous.
- Cold exposure and risk of frostbite.
- Hidden tripping hazards.
- Fire from increased use of space heaters.
- Carbon monoxide risks from enclosing workspaces to stay warm.
Download this Toolbox Talk on winter-beating safety tips and share it with your crew.
“Ask an RSA” answers your questions about worker transportation safety
What are an employer’s main responsibilities for worker transportation vehicles — and do personal vehicles used for work count? In this issue, our Regional-Safety-Advisor-of-the-month offers guidance on employer-arranged transportation under OHSR 17.01. Got a safety question? Email an RSA at: rsa@bccsa.ca.
Next year marks an important anniversary
In 2026, we mark the 25th anniversary of construction industry safety associations in BC, which culminated in the merger of the Construction Safety Association of B.C. and the Construction Safety Network into the B.C. Construction Safety Alliance in 2010.
The legacy of those founding organizations continues. In 2025, the BCCSA:
-
Hosted a landmark conference at its new venue in Coquitlam.
-
Awarded $21,000 to 14 successful applicants as part of the new BCCSA bursary program.
-
Launched the pioneering Peer Support Recovery Navigator Program.
- Established the Vancouver Island Regional Safety Committee as the first member of the Regional Safety Committee initiative.
Look for more innovative programs and initiatives arriving in 2026, including Safety on Tour, which will deploy an instructor and mobile trailer to travel across the province to deliver safety presentations to construction audiences everywhere.
Until next year!
As always, we welcome your feedback!
| 
