When the first “phase” of the COVID-19 pandemic comes to an end, employers may face new and different challenges. Topics include:
The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) recently polled 200 general and trade contractors in the province’s ICI sector on the impact of the coronavirus on their business. Some of the findings were startling.
Fatality & Critical Injury Year-to-Date Overview – Construction in Ontario
As the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the globe, employers need to know their legal rights and obligations as it relates to the Canadian workplace. The following are some of the most pressing Frequently Asked Questions.
Maestro and Spiria, in collaboration with Oriso, announce a new online questionnaire (Sentinel) to facilitate the validation of construction workers’ health status.
The impacts to construction projects, litigation, and health and safety vary across provinces and territories. Following is a guideline resource for how each province and territory is managing COVID-19’s impact on the construction industry
The coronavirus outbreak sweeping the country has made construction projects more unpredictable than ever. To take control in this unpredictable time, construction companies should consider five practical next steps as part of their larger crisis response.
Effective May 1, 2020, the Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Program Standard, and the Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Provider Standard have been amended to allow for the following changes.
The amended standards now:
• Allow JHSC members to complete Part One training entirely online
• Extend the timeline for JHSC members who complete Part One training to give them 12 months to complete their Part Two training
• Remove the need for JHSC members to apply for extensions or complete Refresher after Part One
The ministry has also made changes to the eLearning Instructional Design Guidelines and the JHSC provider application guidelines. Providers who want to apply to deliver Part One via eLearning should fill out the existing application form and follow the steps in the application guidelines.
These standards replace the existing standards that came into force on March 1, 2016.
Providers and programs that are already CPO-approved will remain approved and training completed before May 1, 2020 will remain valid.
eLearning training is especially valuable now, while we are all forced to make changes to our daily lives and the way we work and learn.
Stronger together - We've come together as an industry and a country in times of tragedy and crisis
* (New) Canadian Construction Association Guidelines
* Best Practices for the Employer - Responding to a Suspected COVID-19 Exposure
* Best Practices for the Constructor - Responding to a Suspected COVID-19 Exposure
* Guidance on Construction Facility Hygiene During COVID-19
* Guidance on Construction Supervisor Responsibilities (COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure)
* Guidance on Fuelling of Vehicles During COVID-19
* Guidance on Handling and Receiving Packages (All Persons at Work or at Home) During COVID-19
* Guidance on Tool Sharing (Hand Tools) Constructor/Employer Procedure During COVID-19
* Guidance on Worker Procedures Handling Paperwork During COVID-19
* Guidance on Cleaning and Sanitizing Inside Your Vehicle During COVID-19
* Guidance on PPE (Cleaning Respirators) During COVID-19
Province Takes Critical Steps to Help Businesses Adapt to New Environment
Information for Construction Contractors to incorporate for sustainability
Office of the Chief Prevention Officer shares physical distancing posters with construction stakeholders
As of April 21, 2020 - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Employers regarding COVID-19.
This is a special edition of What’s New, mainly devoted to workplace issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak to help keep you safe and informed.
Message from Mary Van Buren, President, Canadian Construction Association. The CFBA's Gary van Bolderen sits on the CCA's General Contractors Advisory Council.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Employers regarding COVID-19
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and the Office of the Chief Prevention Officer has extended existing Working at Heights worker certifications completed between February 28, 2017 and August 31, 2017, by a one year period, making the certification valid for a four year period from the date of successful completion of the training program into 2021.
From the Provincial Labour-Management Health and Safety Committee in partnership with the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
Ontario Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton has issued a set of guidelines developed by Chief Prevention Officer Ron Kelusky for best health and safety practices at construction sites during the COVID-19 crisis.
