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Sask. workplace injury rate drops from second highest in Canada to fourth among provinces

Many homes and buildings in Saskatchewan were built before 1990, so they might contain asbestos. This means contractors and homeowners planning renovations could be putting themselves at risk of asbestos exposure, if they don’t take the proper steps before starting a construction project.

Studies by McKinsey and Company show that the construction industry would realize productivity benefits from increased digitization and improved access to business intelligence. To address the need for better information and a desire to execute tasks at on-site, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association is launching a service to make it's training database available to students and employers through an online tool.

This week is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. This week also stands as Canadian Mental Health Week. As many across our country and the continent celebrate these events, the Saskatoon Regional Safety Committee has organized a special event for us to celebrate at home on Thursday, May 7 from 12pm -1:30pm.

The effectiveness of OHS management systems: Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?

Lessons from an investigation of the BC Construction Safety Alliance COR™ audit

Webinar | May 19, 2020 | 11 am – 12:30 pm PDT

Presented by Chris McLeod, Co-Director, Partnership for Work, Health and Safety

When: May 12, 2020 9:00 AM Saskatchewan 

Where: https://zoom.us/j/98153798690

What: Residential Fall Protection. This webinar is hosted by the SCSA, the Regina and Region Home Builders' Association, Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association and Certified Professional Homebuilders.

Why it is Important: Falls cause a large number of injuries in the construction industry.  About half those injuries were time loss injuries with a total  injury cost  into the tens of millions of dollars. Many of these residential construction injuries are preventable.  This webinar will talk about fall protection in the residential construction sector and share specific strategies and tactics for reducing injuries from falls.

Today Worksafe Saskatchewan announced that Northern Mat and Bridge Limited Partnership was named the Safe Employer of the Year. Congratulations to Northern Mat and Bridge Limited Partnership, an SCSA COR-registered company.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week is taking place this week, May 4^th -10^th.  Every May, people in Canadian communities, schools, workplaces and legislatures rally around CMHA Mental Health Week. First marked by CMHA in 1951, 2020 marks the 69th annual Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week helps to shift societal beliefs and perceptions about mental health. It helps promote behaviors and attitudes that foster well-being, support good mental health and create a culture of understanding and acceptance.

As situation with the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the SCSA has been adjusting services and re-opening some services that have been withhdawn.  If members require additional assistance or have questions about services please contact scsainfo@scsaonline.ca.

The SCSA along with Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, Merit Contractors Association Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Construction Association and Regina & Region Home Builders' Association, and The Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association have published COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Saskatchewan.

In response to industry requests and to make this training available during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the Association is offering online instructor-led training in Occupational Health Commitee Level One on April 16, 2020.

Date – Thursday April 16, 

Start – 9:00 a.m.

Finish- 2:30 p.m.

Regina, SK: The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) applauds the Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement of a new support program that will assist businesses with their fixed cost obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

With COVID-19 impacting the certification capabilities for ISNetworld customers, ISNetwork is granting extensions from March 31^st to June 30^th for Saskatchewan COR/SECOR/LOI holders until operations have resumed as normal.

The Ask an Advisor webinar will give SCSA members the chance to talk to SCSA Advisory Services and Programs Services about questions on safety or SCSA programs.  

On April 2, 2020 at 9:00 - 10:00 AM

This webinar will also be streamed to Facebook Live.  A recording will be posted to SCSA Social Media after the event for those who cannot attend.  

Merit Contractors Association of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association have learned of the recent shortage of hand sanitizer and cleaning products  members are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to keep work sites and offices clean and safe during this time to ensure that essential construction can continue,  this partnership has located supplies of hand santizer for member companies.

Regina, Sask., March 30, 2020 – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is introducing additional relief measures for employers who are unable to pay their WCB premium payments. Effective April 1 until June 30, 2020, the WCB will waive penalties and interest charges for late premium payments.

This webinar will aid member firms in ensuring worksites are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This webinar is hosted by the SCSA, the Regina and Region Home Builders' Association and Saskatoon and Region Home Builders' Association.

Construction has been identified as one of the allowable industries that can continue working during the COVID-19 pandemic. As you continue to work on your job sites, we want to ensure you have the knowledge and a solid understanding of what is required to work safely. A collaborative group from your industry is coming together on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 to share best practices to follow as we work through the pandemic. Please join us for this important information session

The Saskatchewan Government announced the ‘Allowable Business to be Open’ list through the COVID-19 pandemic. This list included residential construction.

While the list of Allowable Business will be reviewed daily by the Provincial Government and can expand or contract  as the situation evolves, it is now upon the industry to ensure worksites maintain effective safety practices, and that the 2 meter physical distancing is effectively occurring

The SCSA Annual General Meeting was held on March 19, 2020 and the SCSA Annual Report was approved.

Printed copies of the SCSA Annual Report are now available by mail.  Please contact edp@scsaonline.ca to request a copy.

The SCSA has posted a number of construction specific resources to our COVID-19 Coronavirus page

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has expressed a desire to plan ahead for Saskatchewan’s battle with COVID-19.  To improve the available supply of “N95” masks to assist with the treatment of COVID-19 patients, construction companies are being asked to help augment the supply of these masks.  The SCSA knows how important it is for members to support front line healthcare workers.

EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) have traditionally been seen as the “go-to”, “one-stop” resource when it comes to workplace health. However; when it comes to workplace safety, and reducing risks of unproductivity, injury, fatality, and liability, there is a growing recognition that (SAP) Substance Abuse Professional processes may provide greater value.

Like all organizations in this rapidly evolving environment, the SCSA is planning, adapting, and implementing measures daily.  At this time, the SCSA will not be closing operations and is taking the following measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

The SCSA is pleased to announce that John Desjarlais, the General Manager of Great Plains Contracting has been elected to the Board of Directors at the 2020 SCSA Annual General Meeting.

Please note a number of resources have been posted on our new Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource page.

Given the current environment and rapidly evolving circumstances relating to COVID-19, The SCSA Board of Directors has decided to cancel all upcoming Regional Safety Committee meetings. These meetings will resume at a later date.

Like all organizations in this rapidly evolving environment, the SCSA is planning, adapting, and implementing measures daily.  At this time, the SCSA will not be closing operations and is taking the folllowing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

At the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association, safety is top-of-mind in everything that the organization does.

Total injury rate decreases by 9 per cent and Time Loss injury rate decreases by 6.5 per cent 

• 2019 Total injury rate was 4.95 per 100 workers
• 2019 Time Loss (Time Loss + Fatality) injury rate was 1.86 per 100 workers
• 41 rate codes (84 per cent of rate codes) had a lower Total injury rate than in 2018
• 88 per cent of Saskatchewan employers achieved zero injuries

SCSA, SASM Sign MOU for VR Confined Spaces Training

Introducing Fed Antunes Keynote speaker at the SCSA Annual General Meeting. 

The Annual General Meeting of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Assocation (SCSA) will be held on 

Thursday March 19, 2019

AGT LOUNGE, REGINA SK.

11:30am - Registration
12:00pm - Lunch and Keynote Speaker:

Fred Antunes, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

1:00pm - SCSA Annual Report Presentation
2020 Board of Directors Appointments
Constructing Safety Leadership Awards Presentation

Register by emailing events@scsaonline.ca 

2019 Financial Statements Are Available Here

The SCSA has been recognized by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) as having jurisdictional authority in Saskatchewan to issue the Certificate of Recognition (COR®) certification and has been externally recognized as having the utmost diligence in applying the national standards for construction safety. The SCSA is an organization that walks the talk. In 2019 the SCSA received a COR audit score of 96%, a significant improvement from the 89% that was earned during the audit three years ago.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Queensbury Convention Centre
Regina, SK

Ticket Sales close April 13, 2020
Tickets: $100 each
Early Bird: $75 each - available until March 1

If you are a construction business owner or leader in the industry, you don't want to miss your chance to hear from industry leaders at this year's Constructing Safety Leadership conference. Check out the line up of guest speakers, panelists and moderators that is shaping up.

Compliance Briefing: Key Trends in Workplace Drug Testing
- adapted from the February 2020 issue of OHS Insider

The legality of workplace drug/alcohol testing comes down to a balance between competing interests:

• The employer’s need to maintain a safe workplace; and
• The workers’ right to privacy and, where the worker has a dependency or addiction, accommodations for disabilities.

Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association and Saskatchewan Polytechnic partnership focuses on construction safety
MOU sets framework for a new partnership between the two institutions focused on construction safety

January 30, 2020 – The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic signed a memorandum of understanding that will result in a strong foundation for a safe and healthy construction industry. This partnership will build upon the great work accomplished by the SCSA and Sask Polytech in the past and will explore opportunities to collaboratively engage more Saskatchewan learners in construction safety. 

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2020

Multi-Year Partnership Aimed at Initiating a Change in Attitude and a Shift in Culture

REGINA, SK, January 27, 2020 – the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) are proud to announce that the partnership that was entered into for the 2017-2018 hockey season, and extended for the 2018-2019 season, is now a multi-year agreement that will see safety messaging featured prominently in the SJHL arenas, online and in print.

Regina, SK – On Tuesday, January 21st, 2020, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) launched its Indigenous Engagement Charter at the First Nations University in Regina, with an additional launch event in Saskatoon on January 22nd at the World Trade Centre at Prairieland Park.

The Indigenous Engagement Charter has been developed with expertise and cultural sensitivity and aims to bring Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population to the same economic level as the broader population by enhancing engagement from businesses. The Charter will assist businesses as they work towards enhanced engagement with Saskatchewan’s Indigenous communities.

2019: Year in Review

SCSA President Collin Pullar and Kevin Capewell of Rawlco Radio surrounded by Evraz Place/Mosaic Stadium sit and discuss what makes an exceptional leader, the 2019 highlights and what 2020 will hold for the SCSA.

A company hires a trained brickworker and puts him right to work. One of his job duties is to inspect bricks as they advance on the conveyor, hand-pick the bad bricks from the line and rake the good bricks so that a large dehacker machine can carry them away. Six months after starting the job, the brickworker wanderes into an unguarded area in the path of the dehacker machine and gets crushed suffering injuries that would prevent him from ever working again. Since he had 30 years’ experience, the company gave him only a one-day crash training course on its safety procedures that didn’t cover the dangers of the dehacker machine, although it did warn him that the area was unguarded and that he needed to keep clear of it. True or false?

The mere mention of the word “winter”, regardless of where you live in this great country, never fails to illicit, at the very least, a cringe but mention driving in winter, or working in winter conditions and the response is inevitably more pronounced. Icy conditions, snow, and extreme temperatures present a number of potential hazards from dangerous driving conditions to downed power lines; cold stress; slips, trips and falls; and carbon monoxide exposure. Following are some things to consider when it comes to site, worker and personal safety.

On December 2, 2019, a new approach to preventing fatalities and serious workplace injuries that looks at high-risk industries and the tasks within those industries was introduced.

The three-year Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy is the product of WorkSafe Saskatchewan, which is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.

“Safety needs to be a priority in every workplace and across all industries,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said.  “Workplace injuries and fatalities are absolutely unacceptable and leave a devastating impact on loved ones.  I’m pleased that we have been able to work together with a number of stakeholders to develop a strategy with concrete actions that will help to reduce the number of workplace fatalities and injuries.”

Collin Pullar, President of the SCSA, was recently asked to weigh in on the topic of reducing risks through digital construction for JLT’s publication, Building Sight. JLT is a global organization of specialists and one of the world’s leading providers of insurance and risk management brokerage and associated services. The global construction magazine, Building Sight, is published monthly by Atom Publishing in the UK.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association welcomes Saskatchewan Growth Plan’s emphasis on safety with respect to how it grows “a skilled labour force through education and training”.

“While many think of provincial growth in purely economic or population related terms, it is critical to understand that strong growth can only be sustained by managing and controlling the risks that can lead to human and financial loss”, says Collin Pullar, President of the SCSA.

About the SCSA Awards

Each year the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) acknowledges individuals, companies, and committees throughout the province of Saskatchewan, for efforts given to promote the SCSA’s mission and vision.

Mission - Constructing Safety Leadership
Vision - Creating the Safest Construction Environment in Canada

November 6, 2019 – Effective in the fall of 2019 the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic will provide reciprocal course credit recognition of prior learning between the SCSA’s National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO®) courses and Sask Polytech’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) certificate. This will benefit health and safety practitioners with an interest of working in the construction industry, as well as those who wish to advance their learning and career opportunities.

Regina, SK, Oct. 23, 2019 – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB)’s 2020 proposed average employer premium rate will remain at $1.17 per hundred dollars of payroll. This is the same rate as in 2019. The announcement was made today in Prince Albert at the WCB’s annual rate setting meeting with Saskatchewan workers, employers and stakeholders.

On Monday, October 7th, 2019, Dr. Paul Demers presented asbestos results from the national Burden of Occupational Cancer in Canada project, results from the surveillance projects identifying groups at highest risk for asbestos-related disease, and trends and projections for mesothelioma, as well as a bit of their other asbestos research.  His presentation also focused  on some of the work with the Institute for Work and Health to assess the economic impact of asbestos exposure. Links to the full presentation are now live on the SCSA YouTube channel.

Throughout August, September and October, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA), is conducting a campaign to recognize residential construction workers who are committed to safety on the job site.

Developed in Saskatchewan for the Saskatchewan construction industry, SCOT® is the only safety construction orientation training that references Saskatchewan OHS legislation.

Refusing to perform assigned work is normally an act of insubordination for which a worker can be disciplined. But OHS laws create a special exemption that allows workers to refuse unreasonably dangerous work to protect their own or another person’s safety. Disciplining workers for exercising their refusal rights is a form of reprisal or “discrimination” banned by the law. And the dangerous conditions that prompt the refusal may potentially be serious OHS violations that must be addressed immediately. On the other hand, work refusals can be highly disruptive and are supposed to be used only as a last resort. That’s why refusal rights are subject to strict limitations affecting both the nature of the worker’s safety concern and the process of initiating the refusal. If the limitations aren’t met, the refusal is invalid and the worker may be disciplined for continuing to engage in it. While it may sound simple, responding to a work refusal and assessing its validity is hard to do, especially in the heat and tension of the moment.

As an industry-funded, membership-based, non-profit organization that provides cost-effective, accessible safety training advice to nearly 10,000 employers and their employees in the residential, commercial and industrial construction industry throughout Saskatchewan to reduce the human and financial losses associated with injuries, the SCSA’s mission is constructing safety leadership. The Board of Directors wants to hear member companies' thoughts and ideas on how to best achieve the SCSA's mission and vision - to create the safest construction environment in Canada.

Mention Saskatchewan outside the province and it is often the butt of jokes about its topography (you can watch your dog run away for days), despite the landscape being varied. Cold winters, farming and the Riders are also quick to come to mind in association with the province; however, when the conversation turns its people, words like “gritty”, “resourceful”, “passionate”, “innovative”, and “self-sacrificing” are common.  Saskatchewanians don’t proudly walk tall, the people of Saskatchewan demonstrate that they can “tall walk” through character. Coincidentally, these characteristics are also what differentiates exceptional leaders from good leaders.

The SCSA is inviting expressions of interest from any interested, qualified and experienced business or group related to safety that would be interested in hosting or holding a "construction rescue competition" with special emphasis on events related to working safely from heights.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council and Saskatchewan Building Trades are working together on a joint project. The Building Safer Trades initiative provides free practical safety training and information on union trades for Indigenous youth in Saskatchewan. The project is funded, in part, by the Government of Canada’s Union Training and Innovation Program and the SCSA is proud to be able to provide the Safety Construction Orientation Training (SCOT®) program at no cost to the participants.

“In the construction industry hazard recognition and control usually refers to assessing the risks on a jobsite,” says SCSA President, Collin Pullar, “but business owners and leaders in the industry need to understand that mental health is a safety issue too and it is probably bigger than they realize.” The topic of mental health, and suicide in particular, has been the focus of articles, panel discussions and media across the country since the statistic was released in 2018 that suicide rates in the industry are three times the national average.

Through in-person tool box talks, safety meetings and hand safety demonstrations SCSA Advisors distributed hundreds of cut resistant, co-branded gloves. Other campaign elements - which included a broadcast marketing campaign; a concentrated social media campaign which included regular Twitter and Facebook posts; and some print marketing - expanded the audience reach and engagement to the thousands. The target market of the All Hands In hand protection initiative was business owners; health and safety practitioners; and employees or workers.

What Exactly Does Workplace Violence Mean?

Everybody knows that OHS laws require employers to prevent workplace violence. But what’s far less clear is what exactly “workplace violence” means. In fact, the term doesn’t mean exactly the same thing in each jurisdiction. The three variables: what counts as “violence”; whether prevention duties cover worker-on-worker violence; and what a "workplace" is.

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant helps employers train new or existing employees for jobs that need to be filled. This flexible program is designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, in all industries and regions. Having the right skills helps employees excel and succeed in today’s fast-paced labour market.

#SlowDown in the #OrangeZone and help keep workers safe
Police watching for speeders in work zones this month

It’s summer, and that means it’s construction season. The focus of July’s Traffic Safety Spotlight is work zones. Encountering one of the orange zones may result in a bit of a delay while you’re en route to your next fun summer destination, but SGI is reminding drivers to be mindful of workers while travelling through those construction areas – be patient, slow down and stay alert. Always obey traffic signs and directions from any flag person you see.  

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association has been successful in this years Construction & Engineering Awards proudly hosted by BUILD Magazine. The SCSA has been named: 

Construction Safety Experts of the Year 2019 - Prairie Provinces

Any type of infrastructure construction project requires not only the correct permits from officials, but also a social license to operate in order to acquire community acceptance. With the increase in economic development projects both on and off reserve in Saskatchewan, that means understanding each community’s unique culture, and in some cases, building trust and coming to a common understanding of project impacts and benefits socially, economically and environmentally.

According to Derek Hoffman, a partner at Miller Thomson law firm in Saskatoon, “you have to be aware that what your cultural norms and practices are may not be the same in Aboriginal communities.” In a presentation to business leaders at the Construction Law Conference in April 2018, Hoffman shared his insight on Aboriginal engagement

In partnership with the Canadian Solar Institute, Mo’ Solar Company and George Gordon Developments Ltd. (the business development arm for George Gordon First Nation) are proud to launch a first-of-its-kind program offering in Saskatchewan – #MPoweredByMo.  The program targets First Nation participants to build technical skills and knowledge in renewable energy.

The unique one-week, hands-on program immerses students in the science and technology of solar photovoltaics; electricity basics; proper system sizing, design and installation techniques; commissioning and construction safety.  Strategic delivery partners were also engaged to provide expertise in areas such as renewable energy-specific rules (section 64) of the Canadian Electrical Code, fall protection and the importance of PPE.  Course graduates will emerge as competent and CSA-accredited solar PV design & installation professionals.

Although workplace safety committees are found at work sites across the world, Canada is one of the few places where they’re mandatory. Reason: In most industrialized countries, almost all responsibility for workplace health and safety falls on the employer. But Canadian OHS laws are based on the Internal Responsibility System (IRS) theory in which keeping the workplace safe is a shared responsibility among not only employers but also workers, supervisors and other stakeholders.

Today, the Saskatchewan Safety Council is hosting the second annual ‘Cade Sprackman Safety Day’ at Hudson Bay Community School. Amanda LePine, Community Relations Coordinator, at the Saskatchewan Safety Council is grateful that the Sprackman Family is sharing their story. She comments that “Cade Sprackman had a vision and dreams to do what he loved. Parents, youth and employers need to hear his story and work to promote safety for youth while at work."

The SCSA is proud to congratulate Jamie Sawatsky, Administrative Clerk, on achieving her Health and Safety Administrator (HSA) certification. Last year, the SCSA issued 32 HSA certifications and there are currently 155 participants registered in the program. 

This spring, James Donnelly, owner of Over the Top Roofing and Exteriors, and Brendan Lowndes, owner of Brendan’s Roof Repair, were among the first companies to achieve Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR®) certification under the SCSA’s new SECOR program requirements.

The SCSA recently released its Spring 2019 Safety Advocate publication, which highlights all of the achievements of the SCSA and its dedicated members in constructing safety leadership.

There are two ways of achieving a successful outcome at trial if charged with an OHS violation. The first is by demonstrating that there was no violation; and the second is by using the due diligence defence. Most due diligence litigation is about what “reasonable steps” were taken. A business owner is not required to prevent all incidents, injuries and violations, only the ones that should have reasonably been foreseen. Following are seven common arguments that almost never work at trial. 

National Construction Safety Officers (NCSO™) certified prior to August 30, 2017 wishing to write the NCSO National Exam have until August 31, 2019 to have their experience criteria grandfathered and achieve certification. After this date, those wishing to write the exam will have to re-apply to the program and submit their experience letters for acceptance based on the new NCSO National Standard requirements. 

A case can be made for hands being ranked as the most valuable and widely used tools in the workplace. Hands are relied on to perform some of the simplest and even the most difficult of tasks. They are used every day to get dressed, drive, type, text, and even play with kids and pets. The temporary and permanent inability to use one or both hands can make day-to-day activities more challenging. May has been designated Hand Protection Month. 

The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) has released its AGM dates in Regina and Saskatoon as well as its 2018 Annual Report.

The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) recently announced that Phil Germain, their VP of Prevention and Employer Services, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Sask WCB and will officially take on CEO duties on May 31, 2019.

The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board's (WCB) 2018 Annual Report was tabled at the provincial legislature on April 16, 2019. 

The SCSA was honoured to be recognized as a 2019 Regina & District Chamber of Commerce (R&DCC) Paragon Award finalist in the category of Customer Service Excellence.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) proudly recognized several safety leaders for their outstanding contributions to the SCSA’s mission of Constructing Safety Leadership at a special awards ceremony held in conjunction with the SCSA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 21, 2019 at the Travelodge Hotel in Saskatoon.

The SCSA Constructing Safety Leadership Conference program is taking shape with two industry panels and a number of industry experts speaking on topics ranging from Construction Law, Financial Services, Labour Supply, to Safe Working Culture, Inclusion, and Productivity.

The Government of Saskatchewan is seeking input on proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 in the area of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as part of a larger interest in identifying areas for harmonization of key standards and with a goal of simplifying regulatory requirements for organizations that work across jurisdictions.

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2019

It’s Our Reality: the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) Announces First of Its Kind Hazard ID VR Available

REGINA, SK, March 28, 2019 – After months of planning, development and testing, the SCSA is proud to announce that the Hazard ID VR training tool developed in partnership with White Rabbit VR, a division of Twisted Pair Productions, is being made available to member companies through demonstrations and in the classroom. SCSA members and students now 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. The Hazard ID VR is one of the first of its kind for the Saskatchewan construction industry.

Saskatoon, SK: Today, WorkSafe Saskatchewan presented the 2019 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards in Saskatoon as part of the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board’s annual Compensation Institute.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is excited to announce a new partnership with Saskatchewan Polytechnic to offer increased National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO™) exam opportunities in more locations throughout the province to NCSO registrants looking to complete their certification.

The SCSA would like to extend a very special thank-you to Flynn Group of Companies for sponsoring the SCSA's 2019 Health and Safety Administrator (HSA) of the Year Award, and to Graham Construction, for sponsoring the 2019 National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO™) of the Year Award. By shining a spotlight on these individuals, the SCSA and the sponsoring companies are able to share the successes of these safety advocates with other industry leaders and celebrate their efforts in advancing the SCSA's mission of Constructing Safety Leadership and vision of the Safest Construction Environment in Canada.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is excited to announce that its messages around constructing safety leadership are reaching more communities throughout the province in Cree, Dene, and English, over the Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Radio Network.

The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) released its 2018 injury rates today, March 14, 2019. The workplace Total injury rate for 2018 was 5.44 per 100 workers, a 3.5 per cent increase from 2017. 

The SCSA has been named a 2018 All Star Award winner by Constant Contact, an Endurance International Group company and a leader in small business marketing solutions. The annual award recognizes the most successful 10 percent of Constant Contact’s customer base, based on their significant achievements using email marketing to engage their customer base and drive results for their organization during the prior year.

To stay current on SCSA governance in advance of the 2019 Annual General Meeting, please watch for notices on the SCSA Governance Committee page

SCSA 2018 financial statements are now available

As of February 25, 2019, the SCSA will be offering Safety Auditor Re-Certification Training online.

SCSA Safety Advisors will be performing safety demos for the several months at the Regina Trades and Skills Centre for students in the Commercial/Industrial Roofing, Electrical, and High School Carpentry Apprenticeship Program (HCAP) training programs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REGINA, SK, February 13, 2019 – First published in 2006, Saskatchewan's Top Employers is an annual competition organized by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers. This special designation recognizes the Saskatchewan employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work. From high-technology to mining, traditional public services, and non-profits, the companies and organizations that made the 2019 list of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers are as diverse as the province’s people and the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is proud to announce that it has made this year’s list.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) kick-started 2019 with special recognition from the Canadian Forces Liaison Council (CFLC) for demonstrating exceptional support for Reservist employees. 

“The SCSA is honoured to support the efforts of employees who help to ensure the safety of the people in our country and other countries abroad,” said SCSA Advisory Services Manager, Loy Levesque. 

National Construction Safety Officers (NCSO™) certified prior to August 30, 2017 wishing to write the NCSO National Exam will now have until August 30, 2019 to have the required experience criteria grandfathered.  After this date, those wishing to write the exam will have to re-apply to the program and submit their experience letters for acceptance based on the new NCSO National Standard requirements.  

The SCSA was a proud sponsor of the Regina and Region Home Builders' Association's (RRHBA) Safety Award, presented to the winner, Daytona Homes Regina Ltd. at the Master Awards Gala that took place at the Delta Hotel in Regina on January 26, 2019.

Take the latest Tool Box Talk: Contractor/ Prime Contractor Duties to your next safety meeting!

Watch Riley, an SCSA Safety Advisor, show you the ins and outs of the SCSA's Guide to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Legislation mobile app.

Check out the latest Tool Box Talk: Isolated Work Environment. 

Join the SCSA mission of Constructing Safety Leadership in Saskatchewan.  Check out the latest SCSA e-Newsletter and be sure to subscribe at www.scsaonline.ca/e-news to receive this in your inbox each month. 

The SCSA Business Development Unit is gathering member input in order to evaluate the current and future state of the SCSA's Guide to OHS Legislation mobile app. Please take a few minutes to answer this brief six-question survey.