Conference sessions

1A – New/Young Worker’s in Construction
Curtis Zanussi

Curtis Zanussi was just 24 years old when an excavation accident changed his life forever. This WorkSafeBC session opens with Curtis as he provides a first-hand account of the accident and his steps toward recovery. It continues with an in-depth look at supervisors’ roles and responsibilities in ensuring young and new worker safety, including their legal obligations around training, orientation, and supervision.

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1B – Risk Assessment
Robert Miller – BCIT

This session will examine the field of risk management, which is devoted to minimizing the adverse effects of accidental loss on an organization. It will explore the five steps of risk management, including identifying exposures to accidental loss, examining risk management strategies, selecting the best risk management technique, implementing the chosen risk management technique, and monitoring the results. It also explores the recent legislative trend of requiring workplace risk assessments.

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1C – Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSI) in the Construction Industry
Peter Goyert – WorkSafeBC

This presentation will examine recent injury trends, particularly sprain and strain injuries. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSI) will be defined and described and some common terminology will be discussed. The deleterious health effects of MSI on workers will be discussed and a sample of injury risks will be demonstrated and options to control these risks presented. Finally, a list of available resources for reducing MSIs in the construction industry will be presented.

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1D – Silica – Exposure Control Plans 101
Geoffrey Clark - WorkSafeBC

This session will use sample documents that WorkSafeBC has posted on their website (in editable Microsoft Word format) to guide you through the process of creating an exposure control plan (ECP) for workers who are required to grind, cut or jackhammer concrete (which contains silica).  Examples of engineering controls that can help reduce worker exposure will also be described.

An exposure control plan (ECP) is a document that describes how workers will be protected from hazardous materials (such as asbestos and silica) in the workplace. It includes information on the nature of the hazards and the risks associated with exposure, as well as controls, such as safe work procedures, that the employer will use to protect workers.  Employers are required under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) to develop an exposure control plan (ECP) when workers are or may be exposed to airborne hazardous materials in excess of 50% of the exposure limit – which is the case on almost every construction site. 

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2A – Tools for Tough Conversations: How to manage when the going gets tough
Clare Connolly – WorkSafeBC

How do you manage the conversation when your own emotions are taking over, let alone those of the other person? This workshop explores conflict resolution tools to help you move in the direction you want when the conversation feels full of friction, and you want to make progress and preserve the relationship. 

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2B – CSO Responsibilities
Terry Duncan – Safety Consultant

This session is designed to provide construction safety officers with an understanding of their responsibilities under the City of Vancouver Building Bylaws as well as an understanding of their involvement in the responsibilities outlined in the Workers Compensation Act.

At the end of the session CSOs will be able to:

2C – Ladder Safety
Rick Bobroske – GCR Agencies

The objective of this session is to review ladder specs which will assist the end user to make the right ladder selection, to setup the ladder correctly, and then identify the service/inspection procedures to maintain the ladder. This session will provide you with an understanding of ladder safety training with focus on the following:

Selection

Setup

Service

2D – Silica – Exposure Control Plans 101
Geoffrey Clark – WorkSafeBC

This session will use sample documents that WorkSafeBC has posted on their website (in editable Microsoft Word format) to guide you through the process of creating an exposure control plan (ECP) for workers who are required to grind, cut or jackhammer concrete (which contains silica). Examples of engineering controls that can help reduce worker exposure will also be described.

An exposure control plan (ECP) is a document that describes how workers will be protected from hazardous materials (such as asbestos and silica) in the workplace. It includes information on the nature of the hazards and the risks associated with exposure, as well as controls, such as safe work procedures, that the employer will use to protect workers. Employers are required under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR) to develop an exposure control plan (ECP) when workers are or may be exposed to airborne hazardous materials in excess of 50% of the exposure limit – which is the case on almost every construction site. 

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3A – Respirator Selection & Applications
Doug Clements – 3M

This session will include:

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3B – The Economic Advantage of Safety
Derm McNulty 

In this workshop you will be introduced to the following:

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3C – Ladder Safety
Rick Bobroske - GCR Agencies

The objective of this session is to review ladder specs which will assist the end user to make the right ladder selection, to setup the ladder correctly and then identify the service/inspection procedures to maintain the ladder. This session will provide you with an understanding of ladder safety training with focus on the following:

Selection

Setup

Service

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3D – Falls in the Construction Industry – Panel Discussion
Moderator - Don Schouten, Manager, Industry and Labour Services –Construction, WorkSafeBC

Panel members:
Jenny Colman, Ergonomist, Human Factors Specialist - WorkSafeBC
Derek Malone, Outside Sales, Hazmasters
Occupational Safety Officer, WorkSafeBC

This session’s focus will be around falls in construction and will include:

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