Addressing safety issues affecting the residential construction industry with a strategic and proactive focus is important to making the industry better for CHBA - Alberta members. CHBA - Alberta works with members, the local and provincial safety committees, industry partners and government to improve involvement in safety programs, reduce safety violations, improve education and input to provincial legislation.
Safety Initiatives
COR and SECOR
As a means to improve the safety performance of the residential construction industry, CHBA - Alberta encourages members to become COR or SECOR certified and to encourage their trades and sub-trades to do the same. The Certificate of Recognition (COR) or the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition(SECOR) in safety is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards.Provincial Safety Leadership Awards
The CHBA – Alberta Safety Leadership Awards recognize builder and general members for their dedication to safety. We know our members have many great safety programs already in place and now it’s time to distinguish yourself from the competition. This year four awards will be presented to those companies who have found an innovative approach to their safety programs and whose staff excel in safety. Now’s your chance to get the recognition you deserve. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, June 1. Get started by reviewing the submission guidelines and complete your application today!
Judging of the awards will be completed in June. The winners will be announce Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the CHBA BUILD Conference in Jasper.
Crystalline Silica in Construction
Occupational Health and Safety is examining the disease rates and the on-site exposures of workers to silica. Estimates of silica disease rates for silicosis range as high as 850 cases over 10 years. Crystalline silica (quartz crystals) presents the most hazard to workers and is present in construction materials such as gravel, sand, cement and drywall. Currently the government wants to raise awareness for OH&S officers and workers on this issue and facilitate better compliance with safety practices. This provides a heads-up to our industry and allows us to take action now to protect our workers.
To see a presentation by OH&S on this issue click here.
Ticketing for Occupational Safety Violations
The provincial working group which included CHBA - Alberta has created a set of recommendations to the Minister on how a ticketing process could work in the industry. CHBA - Alberta is working with members to review this process and provide suggestions for improvement to the government on this program.Employer Review Process
There are times when employers in Alberta experience fatalities, serious injuries, serious incidents, repeated imminent danger situations, or find themselves on the Injury and Illness Prevention Program list due to poor performance. In these instances the Employer Review Process can be implemented by Alberta Employment and Immigration to move these companies forward to improved Health and Safety Performance. A new process has been completed and was released July 01. View the news release, the revised process and questions and answers.Questions, Comments & Feedback
If you have any questions or comments, please contact Joan Maisonneuve at 1-800-661-3348 or joan.maisonneuve@chbaalberta.ca.
