Perils of Contracting for Construction Work: Uncertain Responsibilities of Project Owners
DATE: May 3, 2023 TIME: 9:00AM-10:30AM Pacific SPEAKERS: Jeremy Schwartz & Ryan Conlin Most construction project owners assume that the expert contractor they retain is competent and responsible for health and safety on […]
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Contractor Management: How to Secure Safety Buy-in
Demand for safety in the workplace has never been higher. In the wake of high-profile accidents and increasing regulation, companies are under immense pressure to create and maintain a safe […]
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A Primer on Engineering Controls
As a concept, engineering controls are relatively simple. They are the preferred methods of hazard control that function by separating worker from hazard. Seems simple enough, right? Just the same, it creates some confusion […]
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An Overview Of Alberta’s Prompt Payment And Construction Lien Act
Overview On August 29, 2022, the changes to the Alberta Builders' Lien Act will take effect, making Alberta the third province in Canada to implement prompt payment and adjudication in its lien legislation. […]
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Considerations for the Gig Economy
Speaker: Preston Parsons The presentation will cover developments in the "gig economy" including a review of the spectrum from employee to independent contractor, as well as leading labour decisions, and proposed […]
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Notice of Projects for Construction Work – Know The Laws Of Your Province
OHS laws require written notice before undertaking potentially hazardous construction projects. Construction sites are among the most dangerous. Work injury rates higher for construction than in most other industries; and the […]
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Alberta Compliance Alert: 6 Key OHS Changes Take Effect
Alberta just made 6 significant changes to its OHS rules, all of which took effect on December 1, 2021: 1. Prime Contractors at Non-Construction Sites Any work site where workers of multiple […]
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Ontario Eases Construction Notice of Project Filing Rules
NOPs will be required only for hazardous projects, regardless of material and labour costs. As in many provinces, in Ontario you’re not allowed to start work on certain construction projects unless […]
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Prime Contractor Gets 6-Figure OHS Fine for Excavation Project Injuries
An excavator being used at a roadway construction project accidentally nudged a piece of heavy pipe, causing it to fall into the trench and seriously injure a pair of subcontractor […]
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Contractor Fined Half a Million for 21-Year-Old Construction Worker’s Death
A Calgary contractor transferred a table cart designed to carry heavy structural loads to a Saskatoon construction site where there was nobody properly trained to use it. The cart collapsed […]
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Ontario To Relax Notice Of Project Filing Rules
As in many provinces, in Ontario you can’t start work on certain construction projects unless you submit written notification listing detailed information about the work. While the point of the […]
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Dept. of Transportation Fined Nearly $100,000 for Fatality to Contractor’s Worker
A government agency has been hit with an $97,250 in OHS penalties, including a creative sentence of $80,000 to make 4 safety videos, for a fatal injury to a third-party […]
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Why Hiring Constructors May No Longer Get Ontario Site Owners Off The Liability Hook
Compliance gets complicated at construction projects and other sites where workers of more than one employer work. OHS laws allow—or require—designation of a single employer called a “prime contractor” or […]
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The Most Important OHS Compliance Cases of 2021 (So Far)
Although COVID-19 continues to command the attention of OHS regulators, courts across Canada have also issued a number of significant non-pandemic OHS compliance rulings in the first 6 months of […]
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How to Avoid OHS Liability When Contracting with “Prime Contractors”/“Constructors”
Implement a contracting due diligence strategy when hiring contractors to work at your site. Hiring contractors to do construction and other work at your site creates OHS liability challenges. That’s because […]
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How Construction Rules May Apply to Non-Construction Sites: Quiz
It’s the work, not where it’s carried out that determines which OHS requirements apply. Fall protection, PPE, materials handling and other OHS requirements may be more detailed and stringent when they […]
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Contractor Safety Quiz
QUESTION What are the most effective ways to monitor contractor safety performance? ANSWER Periodic inspections, jobsite walk – through and annual audits are the most effective and practical methods to evaluate and monitor […]
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Health And Safety Obligations On Construction Sites During The Pandemic
Construction employers in Ontario have a duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect the health and safety of workers on construction sites. This duty includes the obligation to protect […]
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OHS Quiz: Are Homeowners Liable for Injuries to their Contractors?
Situation After a snowstorm, a homeowner goes up to shovel and salt the roof so that the roofing contractor he’s hired can start work right away. But he only clears part […]
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Sample Orientation Checklist
Adapt this checklist for any training requirements in your jurisdiction’s OHS laws, your OHS program and the hazards, equipment and operations in your workplace. Use it when developing a new […]
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Contractor Safety Policy
BENEFITS It’s typical for companies to use contractors for certain aspects of their operations. But your company could be held liable for safety violations committed by your contractors. So it’s important […]
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Contractor Document Checklist
BENEFITS Many companies use contractors for certain aspects of their operations, either on a regular basis or sporadically. Before a contractor performs work in your workplace or on your worksite, you […]
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Supplier OHS Standard Procedure
BENEFITS Even if you’re not legally responsible for your suppliers’ safety compliance, suppliers with sub-par safety records can reflect poorly on your company. So consider setting safety standards for your suppliers […]
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Contractor Incident Reporting Form
BENEFITS When a safety incident occurs in your workplace, you must investigate it so you can take appropriate steps to ensure similar incidents don't happen in the future. That's why you […]
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Worker Falls Through Opening in Floor
This video demonstrates the importance of proper planning, use of guardrails, and the right fall protection equipment. Video from WorkSafeBC
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Spot The Safety Violation: Working at Heights
These workers seem to be missing some key equipment? Do you know what it is? Falls are one of the most common safety hazards, especially in industries such as construction. That’s […]
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Day of Mourning Infographic
April 28, the National Day of Mourning, is a day to remember and honour those who have died or been injured on the job.
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Temporary Workers and Training
A grocery store in Ontario brought in a truck driver from a temporary employment agency. Apparently, the driver hadn't gotten formal training on using a lifting device he was asked […]
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The Duty to Protect Visitors to the Workplace
A retired engineer went to the site of a construction project near his home to speak to the workers about the work they were doing and methods they were using. […]
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