2010 Conference sessions
Stream 1- Occupational Hygiene
1A—Hygiene topics in Construction: Geoff Clark, Senior Occupational Hygienist WorkSafeBC
Construction workers are regularly exposed to many hazardous materials during the course of their work, including asbestos, silica, and lead. Exposure to these materials can cause life-threatening occupational diseases, such as asbestosis, silicosis, and cancer. In this session we will look at what WorkSafeBC is doing to help employers protect workers from exposure to asbestos, silica and lead, including:
- New initiatives for controlling asbestos exposure in residential renovation and demolition
- A new video on the hazards of exposure to airborne silica
- An overview of our new publication “Lead-Containing Paint and Coatings – Preventing Exposure in the Construction Industry”.
The new lead book, for example, discusses workplace controls and personal protective equipment, as well as lead sampling techniques, clearance levels for surfaces and includes a sample exposure control plan.
Learn how you can help protect your workers from these common hazards.
2A—MSI’s in Construction: Peter Goyert, Senior Ergonomist WorkSafeBC
This presentation will examine recent injury trends particularly sprain and strain injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) will be defined and described and some common terminology will be discussed. Learn about the harmful health effects of MSI on workers and see a, and a sample of injury risks will be demonstrated along with options to control these risks being presented. Finally, a list of available resources for reducing MSI in the construction industry will be presented.
3A—Hearing Conservation, Protection & Awareness: Sasha Brown, Occupational Audiologist WorkSafeBC
Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) is a vast problem with significant social and financial implications for everyone from employees and employers; males and females; and the old and young. The good news is ONIHL can be prevented. This session will discuss some of the costs associated with hearing loss, how ONIHL can be prevented, the unique elements of the construction industry, and the challenges associated with implementing effective hearing conservation programs. It will further discuss ways in which these challenges have been, and will continue to be addressed—with the goal of reducing ONIHL generally, and more specifically within the construction industry.
Stream 2 - Crane Safety
1B—Crane Initiatives and Operator Certification Update: Fraser Cocks, Executive Director BCACS, Don Schouten, Manager ILS - Construction WorkSafeBC and Doug Younger, OSO WorkSafeBC
This session will provide information on the following:
- Overview of crane certification
- Update of crane certification
- Mobile and tower crane enforcement overview
2B—Cranes: Basics on load charts/rigging: Gord Lindberg, BCACS
Discussion in this session includes the following;
- Rejection criteria
- Hand Signals
- Fundamentals
- Operator intent
- Load charts
3B—Practical Boom Truck Crane assessment demonstration: Ron Frew, Lead Assessor, Fulford Harbour
The practical assessment demonstration will consist of an actual assessment for everyone to observe. This will include and detail what the proper setup of the machine looks like, and what control of the load looks like. There will be an opportunity to ask the assessors questions about the certification process and common problems they see in the field.
Stream 3- Residential Construction Safety
1C—Worker Orientation/Due Diligence: Aaron Gill, Employers’ Advisers Office
Worker Orientation: This valuable 90-minute session will educate and inform participants on WorkSafeBC’s regulation that requires specific elements to be included in the safety orientation of new and young workers. Attend the session and learn valuable tips on how to be in compliance with this regulation. This session is intended for anyone who hires and/or trains new or young workers including: business owners, managers, supervisors, human resource practitioners and health & safety professionals, safety coordinators, and corporate trainers.
Due Diligence: This session will also discuss the elements of due diligence. Managers and supervisors will gain a better understanding of the legislative and regulatory requirements necessary to demonstrate due diligence in their workplace. The specifics of what WorkSafeBC safety officers look for, will be discussed along with samples and resource material provided to assist employers to be in compliance.
2C—Residential Construction Safety Awareness Session: Sat Combow, Occupational Safety Officer, WorkSafeBC
This 1.5 hr. presentation will review important regulatory requirements for building a residential home from the ground up. Come and ask questions in an interactive session and learn how to prevent injuries to your valuable workers and better understand health and safety best practices.
3C—Planning Work at Heights: Andrew Kidd and Jaret Swanson, Occupational Safety Officers, WorkSafeBC
Part I of this session will provide participants with a clear understanding of the responsibilities and legal requirements of working at heights on a residential worksite, by reviewing the sections of the Act and regulations most commonly cited during a typical inspection. Part II will look at the process of accurately assessing the hazards and planning the work so the health and safety of workers is properly addressed. The ultimate goal is to to help participants manage the risks associated with working at heights.
Stream 4 – Safety in and Around Construction Sites
1D—Working Safely Around Underground Utilities: Dave Baspaly, Common Ground Alliance and Darlene Dyson, BC One Call Common Ground Alliance
Each year in B.C., there are over 5,000 hits to underground infrastructure causing injury, damages, environmental catastrophes, disruption in utility service and, periodically, death. Even when no one is hurt, these events cost the government and taxpayers millions of dollars. This session provides participants a brief overview on digging/excavation responsibilities, safe practice and the One Call process.
Participants that may benefit from this session include: company owners, planners, landscapers, irrigation technicians, construction workers, contractors, railway workers, highway workers, city workers, and anyone else who digs around buried pipelines, cables, and other underground infrastructure.
BC One Call:
The BC One Call presentation is an informative and interactive presentation that educates the excavating community on the importance of identifying underground utilities prior to any ground disturbance.
The content of this power point presentation will include: who is BC One Call, the One Call process, why you should call before you dig, and most importantly why it is critical that contractors do their due diligence to ensure employee/public safety and damage prevention in the work environment.
2D—Hazard Recognition & Control/Risk Assessment: Terry Duncan, Consultant
A great number of safety related issues which are identified in workplaces can be addressed using Hazard Recognition and Control (the Hazard Assessment).
This 1.5 hour session is designed to provide attendees with;
- A brief overview of the hazard assessment process
- An introduction to the requirements for hazard assessments
- An introduction to the tools and methods available for undertaking a hazard assessment
- Questions, concerns, comment
3D—Electrical Safety for Trades Workers: Gerry Bramhill, Electrical Industry Training Institute
The purpose of this training is to teach trades’ workers about electricity, how to recognize electrical hazards, and what to do if they or one of their colleagues makes contact with electrical infrastructure or needs to escape from an energized area. The aim is to reduce the frequency of electrical contact incidents and prevent injury in case of electrical contact. By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the basics of electricity and BC Hydro’s power system
- Identity the hazards of working around overhead and underground power lines
- Explain how to plan and conduct their work when working on or near the electrical system
- Describe what action they need to take if: Their equipment contacts a power line; they are working around a downed power line; or they need to escape from an energized are