News Feed

2018 was a year of significant change and advancement for the Saskatchewan Safety Association (SCSA) and its members. The year began with a celebration of the late 2017 announcement from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Central Services regarding new safety standards.  It was announced that as of April 1, 2019, Certificate of Recognition (COR®) certification will be required for all construction contracts expected to exceed $1M in value.  This was an exciting development for all members that have made significant investments in their safety management systems.

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant helps employers increase their training budget to ensure they can provide their workers with the training they require to meet workforce demands. The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to be recognized as an eligible third-party training institution under the Grant. Applications for training with start dates before March 31, 2019 will be accepted pending available funding. Take advantage of this valuable business opportunity by considering SCSA training programs offered by the SCSA year-round at its training centres in Regina and Saskatoon.

The quarterly Regional Safety Committee (RSC) held at Industrial Cafe in Regina on November 15th featured a presentation from guest speaker, Jeff Matity, a consultant of safety awareness and promotion at SaskPower. The presentation, "Staying Safe Around Electricity," included videos of powerful stories shared by those who have experienced close calls with electricity.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to announce its classrooms are going paperless. A pilot project was launched at its Regina office today to replace all paper course manuals in its classrooms with internet-connected tablet computers. 

Do you know a worker who leads safety in the workplace, or an employer who makes safety a core company value? Each year, WorkSafe Saskatchewan recognizes workers and employers who strive to make Mission: Zero a reality in the province through the Safe Worker Award and Safe Employer Award. This year’s nomination deadline for both awards is November 17.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) unveiled its SJHL campaign on November 1, 2018. Over the course of the 2018-2019 season, the SCSA will be running a series of safety messages on the digital displays in each of the 12 communities that host SJHL teams. These safety messages focus on preventing head injuries, eye injuries, hand injuries and the importance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on the jobsite and on the ice. It is estimated that preventable injuries cost the provincial economy $1.1 billion each year. 

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REGINA, SK, November 1, 2018 – The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, is generally credited with saying, “a good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be.” The partnership that was formed in 2017 with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) helped to not only put the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) in the rural communities where their members are, but also where those business owners, and the people who they employ in the construction industry, spend their time during the winter months . . . in the local hockey arena.

As part of ongoing efforts to reduce injuries and fatalities in the province, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is undertaking steps to strengthen ties between researchers and Saskatchewan’s primary injury prevention partners – WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety (LRWS), research institutions, and industry safety associations. As WorkSafe works to build safety research capacity in Saskatchewan, Dr. Sean Tucker has joined WorkSafe as the Associate Director of Research.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released a free awareness e-Course, Nanotechnology and Health, to help workers identify and safely control sources and products containing nanomaterials in their workplaces. Nanomaterials are used in the manufacturing industry to produce products, such as computer hard drives, clothing, and glare-reducing coatings for eyeglasses and cars. These miniscule materials come with some potentially big health hazards for workers who may be exposed through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, especially for those who use nanotechnology in research or production processes.

The SCSA was a proud safety sponsor of the 2018 Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce's ABEX Awards presented by Conexus Credit Union at TCU Place in Saskatoon on October 20, 2018. The ABEX awards highlight pivotal business elements of provincial prosperity and brings together the leading figures from the business community to showcase the quality of private enterprise in Saskatchewan. The SCSA would like to congratulate all of the 2018 ABEX Award winners for the positive impact they have had on the business community in our province. 

Each year WorkSafe Saskatchewan formally recognizes a worker and an employer who are committed to injury prevention and safety leadership through their Safe Worker and Safe Employer awards program. In 2018, these awards were presented to:  Safe Worker – Justin Ellis, Humboldt Electric, Saskatoon, SK; Safe Employer – R.M. of Wilton, Marshall, SK. We applaud both Justin and the R.M. of Wilton for helping move Saskatchewan closer to Mission: Zero.

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has released the preliminary premium rates for 2019. For the “B” Building Construction Rate Code, preliminary rates have increased in the B11 Construction Trades and B12 Residential Construction sub-codes and have decreased for the B13 Commercial, Industrial Construction code. 

The SCSA will be hosting its second annual Constructing Safety Leadership Conference at TCU place in Saskatoon on April 10, 2019. A panel of industry experts, moderated by SCSA President, Collin Pullar, will be discussing how to make Saskatchewan's construction industry the safest construction environment in Canada. Join us in person or watch a live streaming to find out more about what the experts are saying about  constructing safety leadership in our province.

Please note that the Fall 2018 Safety Advocate publication that was recently mailed out to all members incorrectly stated that the 2019 SCSA Safety Leadership Conference will be held in Regina. The conference will be held at TCU place in Saskatoon on April 10, 2019. 

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board released data today documenting a rise in the number of workplace fatalities in the province during the first eight months of 2018.  From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 of 2018, there were 37 workplace fatalities.  

As part of ongoing efforts to help prepare workplaces for the legalization of cannabis, WorkSafe Saskatchewan has added some additional resources for employers to its website and launched an awareness campaign targeting Saskatchewan workers. 

As part of building injury prevention research capacity in the province, WorkSafe Saskatchewan is hosting an event featuring Dr. Lynda Robson, a scientist at the Institute for Work and Health and professor in the School of Occupational and Public Health at Ryerson University.

The SCSA would like to congratulate the Top 100 Saskatchewan Companies of 2018 recently announced in SaskBusiness magazine. Several of these top businesses are accredited by the nationally-recognized Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program, which verifies that a company has a fully implemented health and safety management system.

The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) has announced the retirement of CEO, Peter Federko, effective May 31, 2019. Since 1994, Peter has played a critical role in the development and growth of the organization: successfully leading initiatives such as the provincial adoption of Mission: Zero and the creation of Safe Saskatchewan while seeing the provincial injury rate decrease; leading the organization towards greater financial stability, and stewarding through significant legislative changes and financial downturns. 

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REGINA, SK, October 2, 2018 – The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is pleased to announce the addition of a Hazard Assessment Tool, now available on the latest version of its ‘Guide to OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) Legislation’ mobile app. Thousands of safety professionals have taken advantage of the SCSA’s free app – downloading it from either the Apple or Google stores – since its release in September of 2017.

“Many of our members in the construction industry have asked us to develop modern tools and resources to help them achieve their safety and business goals,” said Collin Pullar, president of the SCSA.

Every year, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to honour individuals, companies, and committees, for their commitment to promoting effective health and safety management systems in the residential and commercial building construction industry in Saskatchewan. The SCSA presents these awards at its Annual General Meeting. All award recipients also receive recognition in various SCSA online and offline publications and promotions, including the SCSA Safety Advocate and Saskatchewan Business magazine.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) held a very special evening on September 5, 2018, recognizing the contributions of its past board members who have generously volunteered their time to carry on the legacy of the organization. The Honourable Don Morgan, Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace safety; also responsible for Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB), brought opening greetings along with His Worship, Michael Fougere, Mayor of Regina.

With the expected legalization of recreational cannabis on October 17, 2018, employers may be left wondering what impact recreational cannabis may have on zero-tolerance policies, especially as they relate to pre-employment testing, prior to hire, or pre-access testing. Essentially, the contest in every alcohol and drug testing case is between the employer’s right and obligation to take reasonably necessary steps to maintain a safe workplace and the individual’s right to privacy.

A number of recommendations came out of a review of the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR®) program that will serve to strengthen SECOR and provide it with the same integrity as COR. The SECOR program will be held to a very similar standard and allow SECOR companies to smoothly transition to the COR program as required or requested.

Given the approaching legalization of recreational cannabis on October 17, the Government of Saskatchewan sought input from various stakeholders on possible legislative changes to Part III (Occupational Health and Safety) of The Saskatchewan Employment Act (the “Act”) and/or The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 (the “Regulations”) to address impairment in the workplace. In light of the government’s request for input, the SCSA gathered feedback from its members on issues related to cannabis legalization and workplace impairment. 

On August 23rd, 2018, the SCSA and White Rabbit VR –  a division of Sask-based media company, Twisted Pair – began the production phase of the highly-anticipated Virtual Reality (VR) construction safety training tool.

SCSA members and students will have the opportunity to be enveloped in a realistic 360 degree alternate reality for workplace training. This training tool allows users to spot hazards more effectively and in a variety of scenarios that wouldn’t be as readily available within the confines of traditional classroom training.  

Partnership provides School of Construction students with free safety training

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August 22, 2018 – Starting this September, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is providing Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s School of Construction students with Safety Construction Orientation Training (SCOT®) at no cost. SCOT is recognized throughout the Saskatchewan construction industry as a base safety orientation in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

On behalf of the SCSA Board of Directors, I would like to welcome Karen Low of Merit Contractors Association of Saskatchewan and Aaron Yohnke of PCL Construction Management Inc. to the Board.  – Ryan Smotra, SCSA Board Chair

The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) is getting ready to launch a new, client-facing IT system that will provide SATCC clients, including Saskatchewan apprentices, employers and training providers, with faster, more efficient service.

Apprentices will be able to self-register for training and employers will be able to easily monitor and track their apprentices’ training status. In other words, users of the apprenticeship system will be able to interact with the SATCC and access their information online, rather than having to request information directly from an SATCC staff member.

The Summer 2018 edition of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship newsletter – Apprenticeship in Action – is now available. Read about Cassandra Lasko, Journeyperson Carpenter and recipient of the 2017 Wendy Davis Memorial Scholarship – the scholarship the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) awards to the female in a traditionally male trade who achieved the highest mark on the Journeyperson exam.

When Valerie Overend started working towards her carpentry apprenticeship, at that time, she was the only woman in the province enrolled in the program. She attained her red seal carpentry papers in 1989 and by that time, there were fewer than 10 women in the carpentry trade across the whole province. It was also during this time in her life that she became involved in the Girls Entering Trades and Technology (GETT) camp. Her goal was to teach women how to get into the trades. First she focussed on carpentry, then she expanded later into other trades.

Given the approaching legalization of recreational cannabis, the Government of Saskatchewan is looking for input on possible legislative changes to the occupational health and safety portions of The Saskatchewan Employment Act  and/or The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 to address impairment in the workplace.  The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association is considering preparing and submitting a document that outlines its members' concerns around impairment in the workplace. 

In 2017 SCSA Safety Advisors conducted just under 1,000 demos in 500 companies in the construction industry, reaching about 10,000 workers and youth. If you have the expertise to help us rebuild/refresh our demos, respond to our RFP visit - www.scsaonline.ca/about-us/request-for-proposals

Andrew Hann was on his way to a promising career when a workplace accident took his life in 2013 — he was just 25 years old.

Hann was a scaffolder working at a mine southwest of Saskatoon when he fell. On that day, Hann had gone for lunch but when he returned he didn’t have his fall protection gear with him. No one will know why he felt safe enough to continue with his work because Andrew Hann fell through an open hole in the scaffold and died.

The ninth annual Saskatchewan Health & Safety Leadership Charter event was held on June 13, 2018 with more than 260 people from a diverse array of industry sectors in attendance.

The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce announces that nominations are now open for the 2018 Celebrate Success Business Awards.  Awards will be presented in eleven categories including safety plus the Small and Large Business of the Year Awards.

Cannabis is set to be legalized this summer in Canada, and it’s opening a new realm of questions for employers and staff. How might an employer respond if he or she is approached by an employee and asked, “Can I bring cannabis to the company party?”

“When it becomes legal, we might not have a huge spike of people showing up to work impaired, but there might be a shift in societal expectation of cannabis use,” explained Jon Danyliw, an associate for Miller Thomson law firm in Saskatoon.

Danyliw spoke about cannabis in the workplace at the Construction Law Conference in Saskatoon in April. The message: It’s a good time to implement a policy if there isn’t one in place. Better yet, it’s time to review the current policy.

REGINA, SK, May 10, 2018 – Today the SCSA is proud to make two announcements. First, in response to member feedback, five additional topics have been added to the Guide to OHS Legislation app that was released last September – Harassment; Working Alone; First Aid; Duties of the Employer, Supervisor, Contractor and Prime Contractor; and Protection for Electrical Workers. Thousands have taken advantage of this free app, downloading it from either the Apple or Google stores.

Second, the SCSA is excited to announce a new partnership with White Rabbit VR, a division of Twisted Pair Productions to develop 360 degree Virtual Reality experiences for the safety training environment in Saskatchewan.

As of April 1, 2019, a Certificate of Recognition (COR®) or Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR®) certification – or equivalent acknowledged by the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) – will be a requirement in all construction contracts exceeding $1 million in value.

Starting next year, safety will become an even bigger priority on major construction sites in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Ministry of Central Services has announced that as of April 1, 2019, a policy will be in place that will see Certificate of Recognition (COR®) or Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR®) certification – or equivalent acknowledged by the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) – as a requirement in all construction contracts expected to exceed $1 million in value.

As SCSA president Collin Pullar explains, the SCSA has been assisting the Ministry of Central Services with this policy development for some time and supported their consultations with other representatives in the industry. He said the policy change is a breath of fresh air.

WCB Annual General Meeting

· Total injury rate dropped to 5.25 (per 100 workers)

· Time loss injury rate remained the same at 1.86 (per 100 workers)

· 88 per cent of Saskatchewan employers achieved Mission: Zero

"Congratulations to SCSA for a good showing at the 2018 Torch Awards - recognition in north and south Saskatchewan!  BBB is proud of the work you do in the community, and the integrity you uphold that benefits both your industry and the province as a whole." - Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan

"The Marketing and Promotional Achievement Award recognizes outstanding innovation and creativity in a marketing or promtional campaign." - Regina and District Chamber of Commerce. The SCSA campaign led to remarkable marketing gains in engagement and reach as a result of the print, broadcast and social media strategies implemented in 2017. Most notably, recognition on a national stage for being a leader in workplace safety was a major step forward for the organization and in helping to improve Saskatchewan’s lagging safety reputation.  

Statistics can help us track the trends in workplace health and safety – the deaths, injuries and diseases occurring every day in our communities. But statistics don’t tell the stories of heartbreak that lie inside those trends. The annual Steps for Life – Walking for Families of Workplace Tragedy event offers the community a chance to pay it forward by supporting those living in the aftermath, and honours those true, personal stories.

We are going LIVE again! Don't miss the Miller Thomson LLP 2018 Construction Law Conference during SK Construction week. Each of the following sessions will be offered as individual streams on Thursday, April 12th:

10:30 am The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Management and Resolution of Construction Claims

1:00 pm Aboriginal Engagement - Building Relationships and Participation in Project Construction

3:00 pm What Can You Do About Cannabis? A Discussion of the Issues in the Lead up to Legislation

The next Saskatchewan Construction Week - April 11-17, 2018 - will celebrate the important economic and social contributions made by the province's second-largest private sector employer.

In honour of World Poetry Day, a poem about safety by Don Merrell - 

It’s Up To Me
 
I want a workplace, that’s Injury Free,
And if that’s going to happen, then it’s up to me.
I can’t take for granted, that anyone,
Has done all the things, that I should have done.

Regina, SK: March 19, 2018, WorkSafe Saskatchewan presented the 2018 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards in Regina as part of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board’s Compensation Institute. Annually, WorkSafe Saskatchewan presents the Safe Worker award to a worker who goes beyond the expectations of their position to help create a safer workplace. The Safe Employer Award is awarded for safety excellence.
 

One of the features of the SCSA Constructing Safety Leadership conference on March 20, 2018 is a panel discussion, led by industry heads, on Managing Sub-Contractor Safety at 10:30 am. The panel will be moderated by SCSA President, Collin Pullar, recorded and live-streamed.

Today, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association is proud to announce the formation of a strategic alliance of organizations brought together by the Saskatchewan Safety Council that results in everyone in Saskatchewan between the ages of 14 and 21 having access to completely free career focused safety education! This is believed to be the first time in North America that this level of safety training has been made universally available to all young workers. Video Link

Total injury rate drops 5.4% from 2016, however no change in time loss injury rate

· 2017 total injury rate was 5.25%

· Time loss injury rate remains at 1.86%

· 57% of rate codes have a lower total injury rate than in 2016

· 88% of Saskatchewan employers achieved zero injuries

Every year, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to honour individuals, companies, and committees, for their commitment to promoting effective health and safety management systems in the residential and commercial building construction industry in Saskatchewan. The SCSA presents these awards at the SCSA Annual General Meeting in February. All award recipients also receive recognition in various SCSA online and offline publications and promotions, including the SCSA Safety Advocate and Saskatchewan Business magazine.

A significant milestone was reached and a little history was made at the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association annual general meeting on February 15, 2018. Sweeping changes were made to SCSA bylaws, the board structure, its composition and its size. These decisions came via a unanimous vote. The new bylaws replace the original bylaws that have been in place since the organization’s inception. They reflect the most modern governance practices and ensure full compliance with the Non-Profit Corporations Act.

Saskatoon, SK (February 10, 2018) – The Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association presented the 26th Annual Bridges Awards at TCU Place on February 10, 2018. The Bridges Awards celebrate the achievements of SRHBA Members that continue to advance the goals of the residential construction industry and offer quality, affordability and choice in housing to consumers in the Saskatoon Region. Because each company who submits is competing against businesses who have already chosen to hold themselves to the highest levels of quality and professionalism, this is a best-of-the-best competition, and winners can be confident that they’ve set themselves apart to both consumers and their peers with truly excellent work. Awards were given out in a variety of categories including new home building, renovation and design, marketing, and service and innovation to the industry.

A Brandon, MB company pleaded guilty to one occupational health and safety violation and was fined $140,000 in Carlyle Provincial Court in Saskatchewan on Jan. 24

Congratulations to all the Master Award finalists and winners that were recognized at the 25th Annual RRHBA Masters Awards held in Regina on Jan. 28th. Homes by Dream were the recipients of the Safety Award for safety in the residential construction industry. Juding was based on the home builder's safety policy statement, hazard identification & control, communication & training and emergency prepardness. For a full list of award finalists and winners visit the RRHBA website.

As a non-profit safety association dedicated to helping prevent injuries and fatalities, the SCSA wants to see everyone in, and connected to, the construction industry go home safe at the end of every day and one way to do that is through a targetted marketing campaign. Getting noticed on social media channels with a specific message is tough, getting noticed at the provincial and national level like the SCSA did with the OHS app is a real accomplishment. 

Historically the SCSA has provided a variety of safety demonstrations focused around the importance of proper use and maintenance of personal protective equipment (PPE) - back protection, eye protection,fall protection, hand protection, head protection and ladder safety. In 2018, an asbestos demonstration has been added to this line up. 

You're Invited to the SCSA Annual General Meeting

The SCSA is hosting a one-day provincial safety conference which will provide safety information, education and professional development to all employees, employers, NCSO's and HSA's in the construction industry.

Every year, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to honour individuals, companies, and committees, for their commitment to promoting effective health and safety management systems in the residential and commercial building construction industry in Saskatchewan. The SCSA presents these awards at the SCSA Annual General Meeting in February. All award recipients also receive recognition in various SCSA online and offline publications and promotions, including the SCSA Safety Advocate and Saskatchewan Business magazine

REGINA, SK – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has approved the 2018 average employer premium rate of $1.19, a decrease of four per cent from the 2017 rate of $1.24. This is the lowest rate in more than 30 years and it is the third lowest in Canada. The 2018 average rate is 42 per cent below the 15-year high of $2.05 in 2004.

“Tragically, another 22 lives were lost this year in Saskatchewan workplaces,” said Phil Germain, Vice-President, Prevention and Employer Services. “But this is not about a number. These are fathers and mothers, sisters, brothers, parents and children whose lives have been cut short and the impact to families and their communities is forever life altering.”

Asbestos materials are a potentially serious workplace hazard, and people who inhale asbestos fibres are at risk of developing critical, often fatal, illnesses. The SCSA is now providing a course where participants can learn to recognize and manage asbestos-related risks in the workplace.

The SCSA Guide to OHS Legislation app has been very positively received in the industry since its release on September 6, 2017. As we look to Phase II development we want to know what you would value most. Please take 2 minutes and give us your thoughts by completing the following 5 question survey.

In recent communication with Ministry of Central Services for the Government of Saskatchewan, I have learned that ministerial approval has been granted for the adoption of a policy that will see COR® or SECOR certification (or equivalent acknowledged by the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association) as a requirement in all construction contracts expected to exceed $1M in value.  Until the new policy is fully implemented on April 1, 2019, the Ministry will continue its current practice of including rated evaluation criteria related to safety, including certification by SCSA, in all of its construction tenders.

The newly formed partnership with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) will help to not only put the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) in the rural communities where their members are, but also where a number of those business owners and the people that they employ in the construction industry spend time their time in the winter months . . . in the local hockey arena. 

On Wednesday, October 18, 2017 SCSA President Collin Pullar was invited to talk to John Gormley on NewsTalk Radio about the SCSA Guide to OHS Legislation app that was launched this past September.

REGINA, SK – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) has proposed a drop in its 2018 average premium rate from $1.24 in 2017 to $1.19 in 2018 per hundred dollars of payroll, representing a decrease of four per cent. The announcement was made today in Regina at the WCB’s annual rate setting consultation with Saskatchewan employers, workers and other stakeholders.

In the month of September the SCSA was proud to participate in the Youth Education Safety Day, celebrated annually during the week of September 10th, and WorkSafe Saskatchewan's Mission Zero Coffee Breaks held in Saskatoon on the 20th and Regina on the 26th.

COR® should be your focus but increasingly ISO is becoming a widely recognized safety management standard with it’s own compelling business case. 

Regina, SK – Lights, camera, action!

WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s annual Youth Video Contest for Saskatchewan students in Grade 9 to 12 is now open. Students who create a safety video have a chance to win some big prizes for themselves and for their school.

 

Over the years, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) has heard the same excuses when it comes workplaces not following the Occupational Health and Safety legislation — I didn't know.

August 28, 2017

There’s An App for That

REGINA, SK, August 28, 2017 – When it comes to on-site safety and the safety of employees and co-workers, “I didn’t know” is just not valid. That is why the SCSA is proud to announce the launch of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association Guide to OHS Legislation app.

The SCSA Regional Safety Committees (RSCs) are responsible for promoting safety in the construction industry and advancing the objectives of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association at a regional level. RSCs are active in identifying regional and trade-specific health and safety training needs, as well as developing solutions to safety problems in the construction industry, particularly at a local level.

The SCSA is proud to congratulate Kerry Greening, Safety Advisor, on achieving his NCSO certification. The SCSA currently has 21 staff members, just under half of the staff, who have received their NCSO certification.

The SCSA’s implementation plan of the NCSO changes includes a grandfathering of the previously accepted experience and a two year transition plan for those currently certified to attend training/renew training to meet the most current standards.

The objective of the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) program is to combine formal training with the individual's personal field experience. Effective September 1, 2017, there will be a new standard. This new standard aims to strengthen the NCSO designation, making it more credible while allowing ease of transferability amongst other provinces. The most recognizable change to the SCSA NCSO program will be the introduction of a written exam, nationally recognized by participating Canadian Federation of Safety Associations (CFCSA) members. 

The NCSO designation meets the national standard requirements and verifies that a person has met the training, practical application, years of experience and written performance measurements set out by the CFCSA. 

Last week girls from grade six to eight attended SaskPower sponsored trades and technology camps at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the SCSA was there! Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) camps provided participants with a safe, supportive environment to explore the tools, equipment and skills needed for a trades and technology career. 

On April 13, 2017, the federal Liberal government tabled the Cannabis Act. Until the Act becomes legislation, employers have been left with questions about the Act, its implications on their workplaces and their occupational health & safety policies. The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association has compiled this list of online resources to help answer some of those questions.

The SCSA is proud to congratulate Lori Senz, Program Administrator, on achieving her HSA certification. The SCSA currently has seven staff members who have received their HSA certification and there are another nine registered in the program, including the President, Collin Pullar.

The objective of the Health and Safety Administrator (HSA) program is to provide formal training for an administrator of a health and safety program, who does not possess a minimum of three years construction field experience.

Legislation changed and we responded! The regulations, which set out the definition and duties of prime contractors in Saskatchewan, came into effect January 1, 2015.

A prime contractor is responsible for coordinating the health and safety activities at multi-employer worksites.  Their duties include ensuring policies, procedures, and safe work practices are used on the worksite; and preparing a written plan that coordinates activities and identifies the prime contractor’s backup and the supervisors on the worksite.  

We see it all the time . . . #SafetyDoneRight but we rarely take the time to acknowledge the significance of working safely.  At the SCSA, we know that there is a return on your safety investment when you and your staff go home safe at the end of the day. This is your chance to give credit to those employees championing safety in your organization.

The heads of Canada’s provincial and territorial construction safety associations signed a national agreement to meet the new National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO™) standard at this year’s annual meeting for the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA).

On Friday May 19, 2017, Health Canada announced that they are delaying two of the WHMIS 2015 transition timelines. The two new deadline dates affect suppliers who are manufacturers and importers, and suppliers who are distributors and those who import for their own use.

Steps for Life walks were held in both Regina and Saskatoon on May 7th to kick off North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week. Between the two cities just under 200 walkers participated, raising almost $30,000.00

The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) and all provincial and territorial Construction Safety Associations within it actively work to promote awareness of construction health and safety, improve information sharing, and collaboratively produce workplace health and safety training standards/information resources. 

If you are a contractor who wants to compete for high-risk work with SaskPower (such as construction), you will want to join ISNetworld and ensure you are Certificate of Recognition (COR®) certified.

In the spring of 2017, SaskPower will use an external company, ISNetworld (ISN) to help pre-qualify all contractors who compete on high-risk work, including construction or maintenance projects. Around 70 per cent of the contractors used by SaskPower already subscribe to ISN.

Apprenticeship makes good business sense. In fact, this supply and demand training system has made good business sense since its inception in Saskatchewan more than 65 years ago.

Two of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission’s (SATCC) main roles are training apprentices and certifying tradespeople. There four compulsory trades - Plumber, Construction Electrician, Sheet Metal Worker, and Refrigeration Mechanic - in which tradespeople must be an apprentice or journeyperson in order to work in the trade. While we encourage employers to hire and train apprentices, we also remind employers that in non-compulsory trades, such as carpentry, where apprentice or journeyperson status is not required to work in the trade, they can still certify their existing tradespeople. It’s important to keep in mind that under both certification avenues, workplace safety is key.

CTV News Saskatoon - May 17, 2017

Residential construction workers compliance with safety regulations is falling, according to 2016 City of Saskatoon inspections. Only nine per cent of workers used barriers like railings and ladders when using equipment, the numbers show. The figure was double — 18 per cent — in 2015. The inspection numbers also show a decrease of workers who covered floor openings during construction.

May 16, 2017

2016 OHS INSPECTIONS SHOW IMPROVED COMPLIANCE
ON SASKATCHEWAN CONSTRUCTION SITES

SASKATOON, SK: The Saskatoon and Region Home Builders’ Association (SRHBA), the Saskatoon Land Development Branch, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) are reminding home builders and renovators to cover unguarded openings on worksites and to wear proper personal protective equipment.

In July of 2016, the Saskatoon City Council revised their policy on Residential Lot Sales, requiring homebuilders to complete mandatory builder training and safety certification in order to qualify for purchasing city-owned lots. Frank Long, Director of Saskatoon Land, believes the new criteria will help improve safety records in the residential sector. “Safety is a priority for the City of Saskatoon. Ensuring our builders and their trades are aware of and committed to safety in the work place will result in fewer injuries and job interruptions. This dedication to continuous improvement benefits the entire industry,” says Long.

GLOBAL NEWS

May 9, 2017: A mom will be without her car for a week after her son was clocked going two-and-a-half times the speed limit in Saskatoon. The Saskatoon police traffic unit said the 16-year-old teen was doing 153 km/h on McOrmond Drive on Tuesday morning. The speed limit is 60 km/h.

CBC NEWS

May 10, 2017: Saskatoon police handed out over $18,000 in speeding tickets to 50 drivers in a construction zone Tuesday. The Saskatoon Police Service's traffic unit issued the fines over just two hours near the corner of Boychuk Drive and Highway 16, where a new interchange is under construction. Tickets start at $300 in construction zones.

Regina – A former laborer was sentenced May 3 in Saskatoon Provincial Court for defrauding the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB).

The former claimant pled guilty to going back to work while still receiving income replacement. He was given a 12 month Conditional Discharge and 30 hours community service. The fraud amount has been reimbursed to the WCB.

On May 3rd and 4th the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) held their 2017 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Regina and Saskatoon respectively. At the meetings, it was shared that 88 percent of employers reported no injuries, achieving their goal of Mission: Zero. Furthermore, the Time Loss injury rate was the lowest it has been in 64 years.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week, May 1 – 7, marks a week-long event dedicated to raising awareness for mental health in Canada. Started in 1951, this is the 66th annual mental health week.

for the Better Business Bureau of Saskatchewan, Inc.

REGINA,SK - In celebration of exemplary leadership in ethical business practices and service excellence by Saskatchewan business and professional organizations, the BBB will host the 12th Annual Torch Awards for Ethics on Thursday, May 4th, 2017 at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina.

• Violence responsible for 4% of workplace injuries reported to WCB in 2016
• 936 claims reported due to violence
• 2 workplace deaths in 2016 due to violence

REGINA, SK – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Saskatchewan Association of Safe Workplaces in Health (SASWH) announced a province-wide initiative today to address workplace injuries due to violence.

Continue pursuing safety excellence and help make Saskatchewan safer by signing the Saskatchewan Health and Safety Leadership Charter on June 8, 2017. Help increase awareness that injuries are preventable and not an inevitable part of life. Join the 600 signatories of the charter.

Remembering workers injured or killed on the job; committing to keeping each other safe.

In 2016, 31 Saskatchewan workers died from workplace injury and disease.
On April 27^th the names of the 31 workers will be read in the Legislature in Regina.

The Labour Councils around the province have organized events.
We encourage all locals to support and attend the event in your area.

The Steps for Life walk in Regina and Saskatoon is fast approaching! Please join Team SCSA on Sunday May 7^th to partake in a fundraiser to support the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support (known as Threads of Life).

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant helps employers increase their training budget to ensure they can provide their workers with the training they require to meet workforce demands. The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to be recognized as an eligible third-party training institution under the Grant. Take advantage of this valuable business opportunity by considering SCSA training programs offered by the SCSA year-round at its training centres in Regina and Saskatoon: