Please note that the Association has changed it’s email address from nchca@rogers.com to info@nchca.ca effectively immediately.
Also all members are responsible for ensuring that your account profile information is current and up to date. Work has begun on the 2016 NCHCA Directory and account profiles will be extract from our website by February 1st, 2016. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
1. OSWCA Submission to the Changing Workplaces Review
Attached to this bulletin is the OSWCA’s submission to the Ministry of Labour’s Changing Workplaces Review. OSWCA’s submission focussed on the special rules for our industry protected under the Employment Standards Act and why they are necessary given our truncated work season each year. We are looking to ensure that the recommendations made at the conclusion of this review do not unwittingly impact the balance that has been created in our industry by understanding why these rules were created in the first place.
For more information, please Click Here.
2. Ontario Health & Safety Survey
Below is a link to a survey from Fasken Martineau to better understand the current trends in OHS Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement across Canada. Responses will be complied, tabulated and distributed to those that have expressed an interest in receiving the results.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EnglishFMD
3. WHMIS to Globally Harmonized Standard
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) is undergoing a transition to adopt new international standards for classifying hazardous chemicals and providing information on labels and safety data sheets. These new standards are part of the Globally Harmonized System for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The new system will be gradually phased-in between 2015 and the end of 2018.
To read more, please Click Here.
4. OSWCA Submission to the WSIB Framework Reform Consultation
OSWCA’s submission was made through the Construction Employers Coalition on WSIB, OH&S, and Prevention, which they currently Chair. Their submission made 10 primary recommendations on the initial proposal from the WSIB and focussed on broad policy areas that they are looking to reform, including the Second Injury Enhancement Fund (SIEF), Experience Rating, rate group reorganization, and predominant business activity, among other issues.
5. City of Toronto to Require COR Certification
The City of Toronto is the latest public buyer of construction services that is requiring COR Certification for its projects. The certification requirements will be phased in beginning in 2017 and will be required on all projects by 2019.
6. Ministry of Labour Blitz on Working on or Around Heavy Equipment
The Ministry of Labour (MOL) will be conducting a health and safety blitz on heavy equipment operations across the province beginning October 1st. The blitz will focus primarily on inspection and maintenance of crane operations, as well as on safe operation and storage, but will also include other pieces of heavy equipment.
In conjunction with the MOL, IHSA’s Civil Engineering Sector Labour-Management Committee developed the attached health and safety advisory that can be helpful during the blitz. This advisory is designed to help employers, equipment operators, and those working nearby to understand the hazards involved when working with any type of heavy equipment and to learn how to control those hazards.
7. Specification Committee
The committee is working on their “Top Ten List” of specificiation/process issues. If any members have any comments/concerns; please forward to Alison Hogan at nchca@rogers.com or Steve Goodman at sgoodman@hceng.ca
There is a specification form on our website for your submission:
http://www.nchca.ca/default/500. Please complete and return to Steve Goodman.
8. NCHCA Health and Safety Committee – CHANGES TO DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS
The province of Ontario has launched a new set of traffic laws as part of its “Making Ontario Roads Safer Act,” which comes into effect Sept. 1, 2015. The act targets those caught driving while distracted or drug-impaired, entering a crosswalk before a pedestrian has cleared, or passing too closely to a cyclist or tow truck.
As of SEPTEMBER 1, drivers caught looking at their phones, texting, sending emails, or talking on the phone without a hands-free device will be fined $490 PLUS 3 DEMERIT POINTS on their personal licence.
Also starting today, drivers must now slow down and move over for tow trucks with flashing lights, just the same as you do for ambulance, police cruisers, and fire trucks. Drivers who do not follow the rule will also be fined $490.
Drivers must also keep a sharp eye on cyclists; you now must keep a 1 meter distance between you when passing someone on their bicycle. Failure to do so will result in a $110 fine.
Anyone who ‘doors’ a cyclist or opens a car door and strikes a cyclist will face a set fine of $365 and 3 demerit points.
While it is understood that our line of work involves a lot of driving and employees are occasionally given direction or dispatched to their next job while on the road, the NCHCA would like to remind everyone of some alternatives to using your phone while driving:
– Pull over to the side of the road or a side street whenever possible
– Have your helper/labourer make or take the phone call for you – or have them put it on speaker phone for you
– Let it go to your voicemail and return the call as soon as it is safe to do so
– Turn off your cell phone before you start driving
– Plan your route and leave your GPS alone
The NCHCA would like to remind everyone that a person using their phone while driving is FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY to be involved in an accident.
Taking your eyes off the road for more than two seconds DOUBLES your crash risk.
Drive safe everyone, and remind your kids of the new rules.
More information can be seen on the MTO website, www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety .
9. Monthly Safety Recogination Awards
The NCHCA Health and Safety Sub-Committee is pleased to announce the commencement of a new Recognition Program for Safety in our community. This program will be open to all member’s employees in an effort to recognize the safety efforts of individuals, crews, and/or projects.
So, what do you have to do? If you see or hear of someone taking a proactive approach to safety, we want to hear about it! Simply fill out the Safety Award Nomination Form (found on our website), and submit your nomination to the NCHCA by email: nchca@rogers.com . We ask that all nominations be submitted by the end of each month. The NCHCA Safety Committee meets on the second Wednesday of every month, which is when a winner shall be chosen. A trophy will then be presented to the winner(s) at their work location, which will be theirs to keep and brag about for one month until it is time to pass it on to the next winner. All nominees will be recognized on our website by name and the company they work for, so please pass the message on to your colleagues!
Should you have any questions with regards to this exciting new program, please feel free to email nchca@rogers.com and your inquiries will be forwarded to the appropriate committee members.
We are confident that this is an exciting new way to promote the Culture of Safety that we are all aiming towards, and to share the ways that individuals are going above and beyond to keep their workplace, their coworkers, and the general public safe each and every day.
We look forward to your nominations! Stay safe everyone!
Safety Award Notice
The NCHCA Health and Safety Committee is proud to announce the first winner of the monthly Safety Award: Guillaume Laviolette of Capital Cutting & Coring Ltd.
Guillaume has demonstrated a devotion to providing a Culture of Health & Safety in the work place, and has gone above and beyond in his efforts to maintain a safe work environment for his crews. He initiated a new process for Safety Communications to note both good and bad behaviours, and began incorporating videos into his Tool Box talks to keep his crews engaged in the content.
Guillaume was presented with the NCHCA Award for Safety Excellence, and it will be proudly displayed at the Capital Cutting & Coring Ltd. office until the winner for September has been announced.
There were a total of 5 nominees for the month of August, and the NCHCA would like to congratulate and thank the following people for their notable acts of Safety Excellence. Honourable mention goes to the following people:
– Bryce Clouthier, Karson Group, watch traffic on the street when doing clean up or restoration after the main works are done and do not become complacent.
– Kyle Eady, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd., take time out to help a kid through the site across a busy road
– Shaun Fraser, Karson Group, bend down temporary fence tie wires or put them into the excavation side so avoid a snag issue on the public’s clothes
– Greg Somerville, Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd., Watch for elderly lady that seemed to be dis-oriented and entering a closed work site so assist her politely to remove from the area
We are very proud of all 5 nominees, and look forward to your submissions for the month of September! As a reminder, please note that nominations should be submitted to nchca@rogers.com by the end of each month. The Nomination Form can be found at www.nchca.ca on the ‘Safety’ page.
10. Infrastructure Investment – In their own words
The National Capital Heavy Construction Association has been in constant contact with federal candidates from the four major parties in the Ottawa area. The following is a reproduction of four emails that summarizes their positions on infrastructure investment.
Green Party
Thank you for the very helpful NCHCA backgrounder on the magnitude of the infrastructure funding challenge facing both the City of Ottawa and the nation. For your information, I attach the Green Party of Canada’s 2015 platform background paper entitled “Eliminate the infrastructure deficit – Grow jobs and the economy” – http://www.greenparty.ca/en/policy-background-2015/part-i. As you will see, both I and the Green Party are committed to finding innovative and practical ways to ensure the investment needed to meet this enormous infrastructure challenge as soon as possible, and we will collaborate constructively in the next Parliament to this end.
Many thanks for taking the time to write on this important issue. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by this email or at 613-219-4292.
Sincerely,
Deborah Coyne
Green Party candidate for Carleton
Conservatives
Thank you for reaching out to me. This government has instituted the longest and largest infrastructure plan in the history of Canada.
As an example, under this government’s Building Canada Fund and the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the City of Ottawa received approximately $950 per capita, while the national average was approximately $360. In other words, Ottawa has received almost three times its per capita share of federal infrastructure dollars since the Conservative government took office.
Additionally, Ottawa has received funding from the New Building Canada Plan for the City’s Ottawa River Action Plan in the amount of $62.09 million and $1 billion additional dollars for light rail. The latest federal funding for Ottawa light rail is the largest federal investment in the city ever.
This government’s infrastructure programs have and will deliver crucial infrastructure for the people of Ottawa, including the Vimy Memorial Bridge, the Ottawa Convention Centre, Light Rail Transit Stage 1 & 2, road and sewer improvement, recreation centre improvements and more.
Best wishes,
Andy Wang
Conservative Candidate for Nepean
NDP
Thanks for taking an interest in this issue. The need for long-term investment in infrastructure is a central priority for the NDP this election. The NDP will take the necessary steps to ensure cities have the stable funding required to make the appropriate long-term investments.
Here are some specific details:
Infrastructure
- Create 54,00 jobs with infrastructure investment
- $1.5 billion per year to build and repair local infrastructure
- $1.3 billion per year for the Better Transit Plan (to reduce gridlock and lower commute times)
- Goal to be a stable federal partner for municipalities
Best,
Kc Larocque
NDP Carleton
Liberal
You may have read that the Liberal Government will invest $60 Billion in new infrastructure investment over the next 10 years. This investment will include public transit, affordable housing and green infrastructure.
There is much more information available at www.realchange.ca ….I encourage you to read more about the proposed investment.
Karen Anne McCrimmon
Liberal Party
Kanata-Carleton
11. National Capital Heavy Construction Association Anti Theft Program
Our radio campaign started the first week of October. We are sure you will hear our ads!
The NCHCA encourages any workers or business owners who notice anything suspicious to get a licence plate number.
12. NCHCA Director Profile
Stephen Turner
2015 NCHCA Director
Theft Committee
Mr. Turner has been involved in the construction industry in Ottawa since the early 80’s working for companies such as Beaver Road Builders, Vanson, Mcdonald Homes, Curb OLeary’s and others. In 1986, Mr. Turner started landscaping in Ottawa and has a full time staff of 15-20 serving Ottawa and the valley. Stephen is married with 4 adult children living in Carp and very much enjoys being a director on the Board and interacting with all members of current board and past directors. Most enjoyable part of being on the NCHCA Board is working with members of our Association nd helping them in their endeavors to be successful.
13. Save the Date… Fall Dinner Dance, November 28th, Brookstreet Hotel
This year’s Fall Dinner Dance will be a traditional Christmas Gala.
Notification of online registeration will be available shortly at http://www.nchca.ca/ecommerce/4
Happy Thanksgiving!
