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When it comes to workplace safety, physical health and eliminating visible hazards immediately come to mind. But mental health and substance use issues are growing concerns that affect those working in construction. The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) is holding an event in Yorkton on Thursday, March 30 to raise awareness for how mental wellness factors into worksite safety.

The SCSA 2023 Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 30 at the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton, SK beginning at 11 a.m.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan's new five-year strategy focuses on two key streams of work that will be undertaken to reduce injuries and fatalities – a regulatory and enforcement stream, and a prevention and learning stream.

On February 22, 2023, Neu-Build Construction Inc. pleaded guilty in Swift Current Provincial Court regarding one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996. 

The charge stemmed from a workplace incident that occurred on October 30, 2020, near Maple Creek. A worker suffered serious injuries as a result of being electrocuted while stabilizing trusses.

On December 8, 2022, King Stud Contracting Ltd. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court regarding one violation of The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996. The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on February 19, 2021 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A worker suffered serious injuries when they fell from a work platform.

The national COR® accreditation standard has recently been updated by the Canadian Federation of Canadian Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA). In response to the updated standard, a new harmonized audit tool has been designed and will be used for all Saskatchewan COR® audits effective January 1, 2023.

The final report from the Workers' Compensation Act Committee of Review is now available. The committee made 34 recommendations based on consultations held in 2021-22.

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) has announced the winners of the 2022 Constructing Safety Leadership Awards. 

The Government of Saskatchewan introduced amendments to The Saskatchewan Employment Act that will help improve health and safety and better meet the needs of modern workplaces in the province.

Board proposes average premium rate at $1.28

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and the provincial network of construction associations are coming together for a lunch event on Wednesday, November 2 in Prince Albert to talk about mental health and encourage all members of the construction community to add their voices to the conversation. 

Two companies were found guilty in separate workplace incidents to violations under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Members are invited to participate in an online survey that aims to identify Manual Material Handling (MMH) implementation barriers and facilitators. This questionnaire is part of the research study being conducted by the researchers at the University of New Brunswick. It should take approximately 15-20 mins to complete the survey.

Bulletin issued by the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan for safety purposes related to the installation of cross connection control and backflow protection devices in accordance with the National Plumbing Code of Canada.

Registration is open until June 10 for the 2022 WorkSafe Health and Safety Leadership Charter Event. Each year, signatories participate in a health and safety leadership learning community that shares information and best practices. The event takes place June 15 at the Queensbury Convention Centre in Regina.

A Workplace Safety Technology Solution

Vergo is a software product that aims to prevent injuries in the workplace. Vergo integrates with existing worksite cameras to automatically perform ergonomic risk evaluations from the images. These risk assessments can help workers identify behaviours that lead to injury. With the technology, employers and employees can create safer work environments and prevent injuries. 

WCB releases 2021 operating results

Saskatchewan’s workers’ compensation system remains fully funded

• The WCB remains fully funded at 107.6 per cent
• Workplace Total injury rate increases to 4.56 per 100 workers
• Time Loss (Time Loss + Fatality) injury rate increases to 2.03 per 100 worker

The SCSA presents the Constructing Safety Leadership Conference on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, beginning at 8 a.m. The conference will be streamed out to the SCSA's website and social media pages, so attendees can watch from their preferred social media accounts.

Saskatchewan residents are being reminded to take precautions against hantavirus as they start spring cleanup of enclosed buildings or vehicles.

SCSA members are once again invited to complete a short 6-minute Organizational Performance Metric (OPM) safety survey. The OPM survey is an evidence-based questionnaire used to help organizations assess and improve their health and safety performance. 

On March 9, 2022, Ryderz Contracting Inc. pleaded guilty in Saskatoon Provincial Court to one violation of occupational health and safety regulations.

The SCSA 2022 Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, March 24 at AGT Lounge of Mosaic Stadium in Regina, 12 p.m.

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety announced that a Saskatchewan company pleaded guilty to one charge under occupational health and safety legislation in North Battleford Provincial Court on February 14, 2022. 

As the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus continues to spread in the province, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is further extending cost relief to June 30, 2022 for employers to cover costs for accepted work-related COVID-19 claims.

The company was charged with contravening subsection 137(1) of the regulations (being an employer or contractor, fail to provide an effective safeguard where a worker may contact a dangerous moving part of a machine, resulting in the serious injury of a worker).

The charge stemmed from a workplace incident that occurred on January 20, 2020. A worker was injured while using a table saw.

The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) provided COVID-19 cost relief for employers with accepted COVID-19 claims in 2020 and 2021. This cost relief will conclude for accepted COVID-19 workplace injuries that occur on or after Jan. 1, 2022. Accepted COVID-19 workplace injuries that occur on or prior to Dec. 31, 2021 will still be eligible for cost relief, which means the WCB will cover claim costs.

2022 rate marks the first increase to the average premium rate in 18 years

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) would like to announce that the association will be offering an updated claims management course titled "Effective Claims Management Training." The updated course was developed by the SCSA in collaboration with the Safety Association of Saskatchewan Manufacturers (SASM), Service Hospitality and the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board.  The new course is an effort to improve the quality of training in response to safety and business need,

REGINA- Each year, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) acknowledges individuals, companies, and committees throughout Saskatchewan for efforts made to promote the SCSA's mission and vision.  For the first time in SCSA history, our independent panel of judges declared a tie in our Corporate Leadership in Safety award. 

Regina, Sask., Oct. 13, 2021 – Today, the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) announced the 2022 preliminary average employer premium rate at $1.23 per hundred dollars of payroll, compared to the 2021 rate of $1.17. The announcement was made Oct. 13 at the WCB’s annual preliminary rate information meeting with Saskatchewan employers, workers and stakeholders.

There have been several questions about what SCSA members can do to implement vaccine policies.  the Government of Saskatchewan has introduced new regulations to provide employers with the ability to choose to require evidence of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result from employees before they enter the workplace.

Now that the Government of Saskatchewan is recommending vaccine mandate policies for employers, there have been lots of questions around employment law, rights, and responsibilities.  Your construction network and partners have teamed up to host a free webinar with experts to shed some light on this issue.  There will be an opportunity for open Q & A with our panellists.

Monday, October 4, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Innovation Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association, launched this year's Innovation Challenge June 25, 2021. This year's Challenge aims to address government's priority of creating healthy, safe, and productive workplaces in the construction industry.

This Innovation Challenge asked technology startups, entrepreneurs, researchers, and/or students to find technology solutions to the following question: "How can technology be used by the construction industry to identify hazards and reduce injuries?" 

The Government of Saskatchewan has provided frequently asked questions about amendments to The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020

3M Fall Protection has identified a potential manufacturing issue with a limited number of the DBI-SALA® Delta™ Vest-Style Harness on harnesses produced between November 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021 that were assembled with the webbing improperly routed through the dorsal D-ring.

This manufacturing issue will result in the harness not performing properly in the event of a fall, which could result in severe injury or death. Due to this, we are sending out an inspection notice so this issue can be detected by inspecting the harness.

For the full notice and instructions on proper inspection please view the full pdf information sheet.

REGINA - Saskatchewan will be lifting all of its public health orders on Sunday July 11, 2021, but COVID-19 will still be on the minds of health officials for months into the future.

Premier Scott Moe warned residents that the end of restrictions does not mean the end of COVID-19. There is no 'mission accomplished' banner that is hanging behind me," said Moe. "And that's because, although the restrictions are coming to an end, COVID is not … This fight against COVID does need to continue, but it will shift into a new and somewhat different phase."

New Funding Agreement strengthens collaboration between SCSA and Saskatchewan WCB (WCB) on Injury Prevention

Innovation Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association, is launching the latest Innovation Challenge.  This year's Challenge aims to address government's priority of creating healthy, safe and productive workplaces in the construction industry.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan urges contractors, homeowners to test for asbestos before beginning renovation/construction projects

The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) says Don’t Fall Short on Safety

SCSA Members may be interested in attending Saskatchewan WCB's Compensation Institute.  Topics cover workplace health and safety, mental health and leadership issues

News Release: WCB releases 2020 operating results

Regina, Sask., April 14, 2021 – In the past five years, psychological health claims have been on the rise across the province. To address these issues, WorkSafe Saskatchewan (the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety) has launched a comprehensive online psychological health and safety resource centre. The centre provides employers and workers with resources to help develop psychologically healthy and safe workplaces

SCSA members may wish to note that the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce responded to the budget by indicating that the budget really reflected the government’s election commitments like the Home Renovation Tax Credit...

CCA welcomes its 2021-22 board of directors with Ray Bassett at the helm as chair

The SCSA appreciates the leadership demonstrated by members on this initiative.  Full news release below.

On October 14, 2020, Josh Senger Construction Inc. pleaded guilty in Carlyle Provincial Court to violating one count under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHS), 1996.

The Regina company was fined for contravening clause 12(c) of the OHS regulations (being an employer, fail to provide any information, instruction, training and supervision that is necessary to protect the health and safety of workers at work, resulting in the serious injury to a worker).

Increases in premium rates will be held to assist employers in economic recovery

Regina, Sask., Nov. 26, 2020 – Mental health injuries continue to rise across the province and country. In response, WorkSafe Saskatchewan is hosting its third one-day psychological health and safety in the workplace learning event that was offered free to the public. Attendees include Saskatchewan employers, human resource professionals and mental health experts who are interested in psychological health and safety in the workplace

In the following news release,  WorkSafe Saskatchewan offers tips for homeowners and contractors to avoid asbestos exposure.  The SCSA encourages all homeowners to hire qualified contractors for work where Asbestos exposure is possible.

Two employers pleaded guilty to charges in separate violations under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996.

REGINA – The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) today announced The Regina Bypass Partners team is the recipient of the association’s Inaugural President’s Award for Outstanding Safety Leadership.

Please note that companies which have a serious workplace injury can face significant fines and penalities.  

Featuring Monica Kreuger (Chair, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors), Dr. Larry Rosia (President & CEO, Saskatchewan Polytechnic), Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor (Minister, Advanced Education), Collin Pullar (President, Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association) & Paul Carter (Dean, School of Continuing Education, Saskatchewan Polytechnic).

Congrats to Deveraux Group of Companies.  

Please see the following news release from Saskatchewan WCB.  The SCSA encourages companies and individuals to use qualifed contractors on any testing and asbestos abatement work.

3M™ PROTECTA® Rebel Self-Retracting Lifelines (ANSI Versions) 3M™ Fall Protection has identified a potential manufacturing issue with a limited number of 3M™ Protecta® Rebel Self-Retracting Lifelines (with galvanized or stainless-steel lifelines) produced between October 14, 2019 and February 25, 2020. There have been no reports of injuries or accidents associated with this issue. This manufacturing issue could result in the SRL not engaging properly but can be easily detected through the pre-use inspection as specified in the Protecta® Rebel Instruction for Use (IFU) document. Impacted Part Numbers can be found at www.ProtectaRebelInspect.com

Sask. workplace injury rate drops from second highest in Canada to fourth among provinces

Many homes and buildings in Saskatchewan were built before 1990, so they might contain asbestos. This means contractors and homeowners planning renovations could be putting themselves at risk of asbestos exposure, if they don’t take the proper steps before starting a construction project.

Studies by McKinsey and Company show that the construction industry would realize productivity benefits from increased digitization and improved access to business intelligence. To address the need for better information and a desire to execute tasks at on-site, the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association is launching a service to make it's training database available to students and employers through an online tool.

This week is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. This week also stands as Canadian Mental Health Week. As many across our country and the continent celebrate these events, the Saskatoon Regional Safety Committee has organized a special event for us to celebrate at home on Thursday, May 7 from 12pm -1:30pm.

The effectiveness of OHS management systems: Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?

Lessons from an investigation of the BC Construction Safety Alliance COR™ audit

Webinar | May 19, 2020 | 11 am – 12:30 pm PDT

Presented by Chris McLeod, Co-Director, Partnership for Work, Health and Safety

When: May 12, 2020 9:00 AM Saskatchewan 

Where: https://zoom.us/j/98153798690

What: Residential Fall Protection. This webinar is hosted by the SCSA, the Regina and Region Home Builders' Association, Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association and Certified Professional Homebuilders.

Why it is Important: Falls cause a large number of injuries in the construction industry.  About half those injuries were time loss injuries with a total  injury cost  into the tens of millions of dollars. Many of these residential construction injuries are preventable.  This webinar will talk about fall protection in the residential construction sector and share specific strategies and tactics for reducing injuries from falls.

Today Worksafe Saskatchewan announced that Northern Mat and Bridge Limited Partnership was named the Safe Employer of the Year. Congratulations to Northern Mat and Bridge Limited Partnership, an SCSA COR-registered company.

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Mental Health Week is taking place this week, May 4^th -10^th.  Every May, people in Canadian communities, schools, workplaces and legislatures rally around CMHA Mental Health Week. First marked by CMHA in 1951, 2020 marks the 69th annual Mental Health Week. Mental Health Week helps to shift societal beliefs and perceptions about mental health. It helps promote behaviors and attitudes that foster well-being, support good mental health and create a culture of understanding and acceptance.

As situation with the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, the SCSA has been adjusting services and re-opening some services that have been withhdawn.  If members require additional assistance or have questions about services please contact scsainfo@scsaonline.ca.

The SCSA along with Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, Merit Contractors Association Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Construction Association and Regina & Region Home Builders' Association, and The Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association have published COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Saskatchewan.

In response to industry requests and to make this training available during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the Association is offering online instructor-led training in Occupational Health Commitee Level One on April 16, 2020.

Date – Thursday April 16, 

Start – 9:00 a.m.

Finish- 2:30 p.m.

Regina, SK: The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) applauds the Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement of a new support program that will assist businesses with their fixed cost obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

With COVID-19 impacting the certification capabilities for ISNetworld customers, ISNetwork is granting extensions from March 31^st to June 30^th for Saskatchewan COR/SECOR/LOI holders until operations have resumed as normal.

The Ask an Advisor webinar will give SCSA members the chance to talk to SCSA Advisory Services and Programs Services about questions on safety or SCSA programs.  

On April 2, 2020 at 9:00 - 10:00 AM

This webinar will also be streamed to Facebook Live.  A recording will be posted to SCSA Social Media after the event for those who cannot attend.  

Merit Contractors Association of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association have learned of the recent shortage of hand sanitizer and cleaning products  members are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to keep work sites and offices clean and safe during this time to ensure that essential construction can continue,  this partnership has located supplies of hand santizer for member companies.

Regina, Sask., March 30, 2020 – The Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) is introducing additional relief measures for employers who are unable to pay their WCB premium payments. Effective April 1 until June 30, 2020, the WCB will waive penalties and interest charges for late premium payments.

This webinar will aid member firms in ensuring worksites are safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This webinar is hosted by the SCSA, the Regina and Region Home Builders' Association and Saskatoon and Region Home Builders' Association.

Construction has been identified as one of the allowable industries that can continue working during the COVID-19 pandemic. As you continue to work on your job sites, we want to ensure you have the knowledge and a solid understanding of what is required to work safely. A collaborative group from your industry is coming together on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 to share best practices to follow as we work through the pandemic. Please join us for this important information session

The Saskatchewan Government announced the ‘Allowable Business to be Open’ list through the COVID-19 pandemic. This list included residential construction.

While the list of Allowable Business will be reviewed daily by the Provincial Government and can expand or contract  as the situation evolves, it is now upon the industry to ensure worksites maintain effective safety practices, and that the 2 meter physical distancing is effectively occurring

The SCSA Annual General Meeting was held on March 19, 2020 and the SCSA Annual Report was approved.

Printed copies of the SCSA Annual Report are now available by mail.  Please contact edp@scsaonline.ca to request a copy.

The SCSA has posted a number of construction specific resources to our COVID-19 Coronavirus page

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has expressed a desire to plan ahead for Saskatchewan’s battle with COVID-19.  To improve the available supply of “N95” masks to assist with the treatment of COVID-19 patients, construction companies are being asked to help augment the supply of these masks.  The SCSA knows how important it is for members to support front line healthcare workers.

EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) have traditionally been seen as the “go-to”, “one-stop” resource when it comes to workplace health. However; when it comes to workplace safety, and reducing risks of unproductivity, injury, fatality, and liability, there is a growing recognition that (SAP) Substance Abuse Professional processes may provide greater value.

Like all organizations in this rapidly evolving environment, the SCSA is planning, adapting, and implementing measures daily.  At this time, the SCSA will not be closing operations and is taking the following measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

The SCSA is pleased to announce that John Desjarlais, the General Manager of Great Plains Contracting has been elected to the Board of Directors at the 2020 SCSA Annual General Meeting.

Please note a number of resources have been posted on our new Coronavirus COVID-19 Resource page.

Given the current environment and rapidly evolving circumstances relating to COVID-19, The SCSA Board of Directors has decided to cancel all upcoming Regional Safety Committee meetings. These meetings will resume at a later date.

Like all organizations in this rapidly evolving environment, the SCSA is planning, adapting, and implementing measures daily.  At this time, the SCSA will not be closing operations and is taking the folllowing measures to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

At the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association, safety is top-of-mind in everything that the organization does.

Total injury rate decreases by 9 per cent and Time Loss injury rate decreases by 6.5 per cent 

• 2019 Total injury rate was 4.95 per 100 workers
• 2019 Time Loss (Time Loss + Fatality) injury rate was 1.86 per 100 workers
• 41 rate codes (84 per cent of rate codes) had a lower Total injury rate than in 2018
• 88 per cent of Saskatchewan employers achieved zero injuries

SCSA, SASM Sign MOU for VR Confined Spaces Training

Introducing Fed Antunes Keynote speaker at the SCSA Annual General Meeting. 

The Annual General Meeting of the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Assocation (SCSA) will be held on 

Thursday March 19, 2019

AGT LOUNGE, REGINA SK.

11:30am - Registration
12:00pm - Lunch and Keynote Speaker:

Fred Antunes, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure

1:00pm - SCSA Annual Report Presentation
2020 Board of Directors Appointments
Constructing Safety Leadership Awards Presentation

Register by emailing events@scsaonline.ca 

2019 Financial Statements Are Available Here

The SCSA has been recognized by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) as having jurisdictional authority in Saskatchewan to issue the Certificate of Recognition (COR®) certification and has been externally recognized as having the utmost diligence in applying the national standards for construction safety. The SCSA is an organization that walks the talk. In 2019 the SCSA received a COR audit score of 96%, a significant improvement from the 89% that was earned during the audit three years ago.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Queensbury Convention Centre
Regina, SK

Ticket Sales close April 13, 2020
Tickets: $100 each
Early Bird: $75 each - available until March 1

If you are a construction business owner or leader in the industry, you don't want to miss your chance to hear from industry leaders at this year's Constructing Safety Leadership conference. Check out the line up of guest speakers, panelists and moderators that is shaping up.

Compliance Briefing: Key Trends in Workplace Drug Testing
- adapted from the February 2020 issue of OHS Insider

The legality of workplace drug/alcohol testing comes down to a balance between competing interests:

• The employer’s need to maintain a safe workplace; and
• The workers’ right to privacy and, where the worker has a dependency or addiction, accommodations for disabilities.

Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association and Saskatchewan Polytechnic partnership focuses on construction safety
MOU sets framework for a new partnership between the two institutions focused on construction safety

January 30, 2020 – The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic signed a memorandum of understanding that will result in a strong foundation for a safe and healthy construction industry. This partnership will build upon the great work accomplished by the SCSA and Sask Polytech in the past and will explore opportunities to collaboratively engage more Saskatchewan learners in construction safety. 

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2020

Multi-Year Partnership Aimed at Initiating a Change in Attitude and a Shift in Culture

REGINA, SK, January 27, 2020 – the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) are proud to announce that the partnership that was entered into for the 2017-2018 hockey season, and extended for the 2018-2019 season, is now a multi-year agreement that will see safety messaging featured prominently in the SJHL arenas, online and in print.

Regina, SK – On Tuesday, January 21st, 2020, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (SCC) launched its Indigenous Engagement Charter at the First Nations University in Regina, with an additional launch event in Saskatoon on January 22nd at the World Trade Centre at Prairieland Park.

The Indigenous Engagement Charter has been developed with expertise and cultural sensitivity and aims to bring Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population to the same economic level as the broader population by enhancing engagement from businesses. The Charter will assist businesses as they work towards enhanced engagement with Saskatchewan’s Indigenous communities.

2019: Year in Review

SCSA President Collin Pullar and Kevin Capewell of Rawlco Radio surrounded by Evraz Place/Mosaic Stadium sit and discuss what makes an exceptional leader, the 2019 highlights and what 2020 will hold for the SCSA.

A company hires a trained brickworker and puts him right to work. One of his job duties is to inspect bricks as they advance on the conveyor, hand-pick the bad bricks from the line and rake the good bricks so that a large dehacker machine can carry them away. Six months after starting the job, the brickworker wanderes into an unguarded area in the path of the dehacker machine and gets crushed suffering injuries that would prevent him from ever working again. Since he had 30 years’ experience, the company gave him only a one-day crash training course on its safety procedures that didn’t cover the dangers of the dehacker machine, although it did warn him that the area was unguarded and that he needed to keep clear of it. True or false?