Safety Awards Call for Entries

Does your company strive to demonstrate a safe work culture? Get the recognition you deserve by entering for the CHBA - Alberta Safety Awards. Letters will be mailed to CHBA - Alberta members calling for entries for this year's Safety Awards sponsored by ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric. The awards will be presented to builders and trade and supply partner members at BUILD 2008.

WHMIS Training Alert

Workplace Health and Safety has recently received complaints about aggressive, high-pressure sales tactics by commercial providers of workplace safety training for the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). When contacted, employers are given the impression that the caller is someone who represents the government, and that the training is required and endorsed by Workplace Health and Safety.

Workplace Health and Safety is not affiliated with commercial training providers, and there is no requirement for an employer to use a commercial training provider or materials created by a commercial company to conduct WHMIS training. More information on the OHS Act, Regulation and Code is available online or by calling the Workplace Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-866-415-8690.

Albi Receives Health & Safety Award

The 17th annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction were presented February 29. The Alberta Chambers of Commerce has presented the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction since 1996. The awards recognize and celebrate excellence across the business spectrum, including diversity in the workplace, youth employment opportunities, marketing successes and workplace health and safety.

The Health and Safety Leader Award of Distinction recognizes an organization that leads its industry with an exemplary heath and safety program and proven injury prevention track record. This year's recipient was Albi Homes.

Lifespan of a STANDATA

With the release of the 2006 Alberta Building Code in September 2007, CHBA-Alberta has received many inquiries from members in regards to whether STANDATA issued for the previous Code were still valid. The explanation of this given by Alberta Municipal Affairs, is that STANDATA are issued under a specific version of the Alberta Building Code. Once a new version of the Code is declared in force, all pre-existing STANDATA issued under the previous Code are deemed to be obsolete and can no longer be used. For more information, click here.

BUILD Sponsorships Available

Have you ever wanted to show your support for the industry at a provincial level? Now's your opportunity to become a sponsor at BUILD 2008. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor click here.

Help Workers Give Safety a Voice

Summer is here and the hunt to hire students and temporary workers is on. Look at what statistics show:

· Workers with less than six months experience get hurt 3 times more often
· Injuries double among young workers in the summer

Inexperience, lack of safety knowledge and language barriers are just a few reasons for these trends. Help WCB-Alberta and the Government of Alberta raise awareness among young and foreign workers about on-the-job risks and spread the message that it's OK to speak up for their safety! Order this year's Heads Up campaign posters! Posters are free, and can be viewed on WCB's website.

Call (780) 498-8680 or email Corporate Communications at corporate.communications@wcb.ab.ca to place your order today.