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Occupational Health and Safety

May 27, 2013

Staffing levels and safety drive Ontario elevator worker strike

Elevator workers across Ontario are striking as they can’t come to terms on the language inside their agreement with four major elevator companies.

May 27, 2013

Proposed wood-frame use meets opposition

The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) declared their opposition to proposed changes in the Ontario Building Code (OBC) that would allow construction of six-storey wood-frame buildings.

May 27, 2013

Concrete airplane in South Dakota takes flight

An 18-pound concrete airplane recently made aeronautical history by being the second known concrete plane to fly and the only one to stay intact upon landing.

May 24, 2013

Measure of U.S. economy’s future health rises 0.6 per cent in April after March dip

A measure of the U.S. economy’s future health rose solidly in April, buoyed by a sharp rise in applications to build homes and a better job market.

May 24, 2013

A return to core values a must for banks: Carney

Banks must regain the public’s trust in order to ensure economic recovery, said Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney in one of his last public addresses recently.

May 24, 2013

NDP says it will support Liberal budget, averting spring election

Ontario won’t be plunging into an election any time soon, as the New Democrats agreed Tuesday to pass the budget and prop up the minority Liberals.

May 24, 2013

Fundraising campaign to reach target for new Shriners Hospital for Children

A $130-million fundraising campaign to help raise money for the construction of the new Shriners Hospital for Children - Canada has reached just over $111 million, according to fundraising co-chair Richard Renaud.

May 23, 2013

Future tradespeople put to the test

The chair of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) said it is “thrilling” to see what the students and young apprentices accomplish at the annual Ontario Technological Skills Competition (OTSC).

May 22, 2013

Random drug testing about site safety, says expert

Random drug testing is nothing new in Canada, and it continues to be used as an effective safety measure for high-risk jobs, according to CanAmm Occupational Health.

May 21, 2013

Multi-employer approach needed in apprenticeships

A multi-employer approach to apprenticeship training results in higher apprenticeship completion rates, according to a new study commissioned by the Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS).

May 21, 2013

Call for action after MOL says workers are responsible for their own safety

NDP MPP Michael Mantha called on the Ontario government to take action after a Ministry of Labour representative said workers are responsible for their own safety in the workplace, not government inspectors.

May 17, 2013

Proposed Ambassador Bridge twinning draws Windsor mayor’s ire

The company that owns the busy Ambassador Bridge between Canada and the United States is being warned by Windsor’s mayor to back off plans to build a twin span.

May 17, 2013

Provinces need to loosen up apprenticeship rules

Provinces that want to encourage more workers to enter into the trades should allow companies to hire more apprentices as strict regulations act as barriers to entry, concludes a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute.

May 16, 2013

Streamlined standards a focus for CIPH and MCAC in Ottawa

Anti-counterfeiting issues and streamlining of industry standards in North America were front and centre on the agenda when the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating (CIPH) and the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada (MCAC) met recently with federal politicians.

May 16, 2013

St. Marys Cement Inc. fined $75,000

St. Marys Cement Inc. of Toronto has been fined $75,000 and a supervisor was fined $3,000 for violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.

May 16, 2013

OPG $1 billion proposal to bury nuclear waste up for comment

A public comment period on Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) $1 billion proposal to bury nuclear waste near Kincardine, Ont. draws to a close later this month and will be followed by a public hearing in the fall.

May 15, 2013

Citizens call for probe of labour ministry

A group of citizens from Elliot Lake, Ont., are calling for an independent probe of the provincial Ministry of Labour. They want an investigation to examine what they allege was a failure by ministry officials to prevent last June’s deadly collapse of the Algo Centre Mall which killed two women.

May 15, 2013

Goderich Carpenters’ union help train Habitat project trades

Pass by the site of a 1,200-square-foot house being built this summer in Goderich, Ont. by Habitat for Humanity and you might notice something different: the volunteer corps constructing the house is made up of women.

May 13, 2013

London association withdraws from COCA

The London & District Construction Association (LDCA) has withdrawn from the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA) because it has not taken a position opposing the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT).

May 13, 2013

PCL Constructors works on Humber River Regional Hospital in Toronto

Work is moving along at the Humber River Regional Hospital’s new acute care complex in Toronto, Ont.

May 13, 2013

Sudbury Construction Association’s voice strengthens

For a number of years, the Sudbury Construction Association (SCA) was one of the best-kept secrets in town.

May 10, 2013

CVC recognized for engineering excellence

Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and partners’ innovative stormwater management retrofit project at Elm Drive in Mississauga was recognized with an engineering award of excellence during the 11th annual Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) awards gala.

May 10, 2013

U.S. employment rate reaches four-year low

U.S. employers added 165,000 jobs in April, and hiring was much stronger in the previous two months than the government first estimated.

May 6, 2013

Ottawa Convention Centre wins top award from CEO

Consulting Engineers of Ontario (CEO) has recognized outstanding contributions by the industry to the social, economic and environmental quality of life in Ontario in its 2013 awards.

May 3, 2013

Miller Paving awarded $9.6-million contract

Miller Paving Ltd. has been awarded a $9.6-million contract to reconstruct more than 34 kilometres of road on Highway 65 near New Liskeard, Ont.

May 3, 2013

CivicAction Your32 campaign secures pledges and support

With less than a month until Metrolinx has to submit its Big Move investment strategy, CivicAction’s Your32 campaign to tackle gridlock has secured pledges from over 700 residents and elected officials to “get a move on” and find the money needed to build an efficient, affordable and accessible regional transportation network.

May 3, 2013

Non-residential construction up to $12.4 billion: StatsCan

Investment in non-residential building construction grew to $12.4 billion in the first quarter, up one per cent from the previous quarter, led by higher spending in the commercial and industrial sectors, reports Statistics Canada.

May 2, 2013

$13.5 billion for infrastructure in 2013 Ontario budget

The Ontario government has reaffirmed in its 2013 budget its commitment to building and improving roads, transit and municipal projects by investing $13.5 billion in infrastructure.

May 2, 2013

Day of Mourning about reflection

About 150 people from a variety of professions and trades, including Carpenters’ Local 27, attended the Day of Mourning ceremonies at the memorial in front of the Woodbridge Pool and Memorial Arena recently.

May 2, 2013

Conservatory Group works on Milan Condos in Toronto

Glass installation is progressing on the Milan Condominiums at Yonge and Church streets in Toronto, Ont.

May 2, 2013

Ontario rolls out economic revival plan, deficit at $11.7 billion

Ontario will eliminate this year’s projected $11.7 billion deficit in five years and a six-part economic renewal plan will help reach that goal and drive job creation, stated the province’s finance minister.

May 1, 2013

Miller Paving’s RAP process wins ORBA green leadership award

Miller Paving Ltd.’s (the Miller Group) research and development on uses for Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) materials in pavement processes where RAP materials had not traditionally been considered has earned the organization the 2013 ORBA Green Leadership and Sustainability Award.

May 1, 2013

As WSIB nears 100 years its revamp continues, says Witmer

As the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) reaches the 100-year milestone in 2014, it has plans to revamp its business model to help cut costs and deliver its services more effectively.

May 1, 2013

Manitoba unveils new strategic plan to improve workplace safety

Manitoba has a new five-year strategic plan to prevent workplace injury and illness that includes doubling the funding for prevention services.

April 29, 2013

Engineer faces charges in Elliot Lake mall collapse

A professional engineer faces charges under health and safety laws in connection with last summer's deadly mall collapse in a northern Ontario town, the province's Ministry of Labour announced Monday

April 26, 2013

Demolition of Windsor’s worst eyesore intricate

It has been a long time coming but abatement and demolition of arguably Windsor’s worst eyesore began in late February and will be completed by summer.

April 26, 2013

CDK Holdings Ltd. fined for labour safety violation in Saskatchewan

A Saskatoon construction company has been fined for violating a labour safety law.