Spread the CHBA - Alberta News

In recent months, there has been an increased amount of attention on the important work CHBA - Alberta has been involved with. Whether it is the HIRF Code changes, C&D Waste Diversion, Standata issuances, or the variety of other technical, safety, government affairs and general information issues our industry is faced with, CHBA - Alberta’s “To The Point” e-newsletter is the industry resource that gives members a chance to know what’s going on first! The e-newsletter is sent out to registered members every two weeks, and so in an effort to increase the distribution of the crucial information found in this free member service, we ask that you forward a copy of this e-newsletter to your co-workers and colleagues, and ask them to sign up at info@chbaalberta.ca.

Still Time to Enter Alberta Housing Awards

The deadline is fast approaching but there is still time to enter. The Alberta Awards of Excellence in Housing online award submissions will be accepted until June 3 at 4:30pm. This is the time for builders and renovators to show off their greatest homes.

C&D Stakeholder Sessions

CHBA - Alberta, Alberta Construction Association and Alberta Environment will be hosting several broad stakeholder consultation meetings in June to discuss the proposed provincial recycling program for construction and demolition materials. The session is open to all interested CHBA - Alberta members. Although venues and session times have not been determined yet, these half-day meetings will be held on:
June 10 – Edmonton
June 11 – Red Deer
June 12 – Calgary
June 15 – Lethbridge
June 16 – Medicine Hat
June 18 - Grande Prairie
June 25 – Lac La Biche
Although the registration deadline was May 25th, we will be able to accommodate a few more people at each location for those that missed the previous invitation. Click here to download backgrounder information and complete the RSVP form and forward to Claudia Boecking at claudia@sonnevera.com asap.

Take Advantage of Savings for BUILD 2009

The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (JPL) and CHBA – Alberta are offering delegates an early bird rate on hotel accommodations booked prior to June 1, 2009. Rates for a Fairmont room start at $295 per night (plus applicable taxes, resort fee, etc). The relationship developed over the years between CHBA - Alberta and the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge has proved to be one that works for everyone. Click here to register for BUILD 2009 and book your accommodations with the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge to be automatically entered for the early bird draw consisting of hotel accommodations for September 17-19 and one free conference registration. Conference registration cannot be applied to pre-negotiated sponsorship agreements or trade show participants.

BUILD 2009 Theme Night Revealed

Although summer is finally upon us, BUILD 09 is right around the corner. With a few months left to prepare we are pleased to announce that this year’s Theme Night will pay homage to the much anticipated games in Vancouver. A Celebration of Canadian Winter Sport will encompass the spirit of our athletes and the multitude of activities that we Canadians indulge upon to pass the long snowy months. (I know… too soon… too soon!). So don’t pack your toques, snow boards, skates and Lycra downhill race suits too tightly in the garage as you’ll need them to construct your costumes in September.

Input Sought on Regulations for Home Inspectors

The Alberta Government recently issued news release inviting Albertans to provide input on whether the government should create regulations for the home inspection industry and what they should include. Currently, there are no specific provincial rules governing the industry. The consultation will cover the issues of licensing, standards, qualifications, insurance, and other matters.

Those interested in taking part in the consultation can click here for more information and complete the brief questionnaire. In addition to the online survey, the government will be gathering input from home inspectors, realtors, and other stakeholders. The consultation will run until June 30.

Phase 1 Report on Fire Research

The increasing use of new materials in houses has created a need to better understand their performance under fire conditions. National Research Council (NRC) has undertaken research into fires in houses to better understand the factors that affect the life safety of occupants in the event of a fire. In Phase 1 of the project, researchers examined the behaviour of commonly used floor assemblies. Click here to download the Phase 1 report.

Rick Gratton at the Top

CHBA - Alberta congratulates Mr. Rick Gratton (Construction Manager of Housing for Calgary-based Carma Developers) as he begins his two year term as Chairman of CHBA - National’s Technical Research Council in May 2009. Gratton was the recent winner of the BUILD 2008 George Frieser Award, which is the highest award that can be given at the provincial level to an outstanding volunteer who has served the association with the largest degree of success and commitment. Gratton has many years of service on his local Technical Committee, the provincial Alberta Housing Industry Technical Council, as well as the national Technical Research Council.

Standata on Sealing Ventilation Ducts

Sentence 9.32.3.11.(8) of the 2006 Alberta Building Code stipulates that joints in all ventilation system ducting shall be sealed with mastic, metal foil duct tape or the manufacturers' specified sealants. A number of questions have arisen concerning the application of this Article to the various types of ductwork in a single-family dwelling unit. Alberta Municipal Affairs have recently released a new Standata addressing this issue.

WCB Stats

The Alberta Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) recently reported that there were fewer workplace injuries in Alberta last year. This, combined with a growing workforce, resulted in a record low injury rate. However, there were 165 occupational fatalities in 2008, up from 154 in 2007.

The disabling injury rate decreased to 3.48 injuries per 100 full time jobs in 2008, from 3.88 per 100 in 2007. The disabling injury rate includes injured workers who cannot work their next shift or have to be placed on modified work to accommodate their injuries.

The lost-time claim rate for 2008 was 1.80 per 100 full-time jobs, down from 2.12 per 100 in 2007. This marks the eighth straight year the rate has dropped. This rate compares the number of lost-time claims submitted with the working population covered, but does not include modified work.

The fatality rate, although 2.2 per cent higher than 2007, is consistent with rates over the past 10 years. Of the 165 fatalities in 2008, 50 were motor vehicle incidents, 51 were workplace incidents, and 64 were occupational disease deaths.

Alberta Employment and Immigration will be increasing the Occupational Health and Safety budget by more than $5 million for additional enforcement during the 2009 -10 fiscal year.