The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) recently polled 200 general and trade contractors in the province’s ICI sector on the impact of the coronavirus on their business. Some of the findings were startling.
On May 11, 2020, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing filed Ontario Regulation 209/20, which made amendments to Ontario’s Building Code related to the delivery of building code services, such as reviewing building permit applications and conducting inspections.
The amendment requires that municipal building officials continue to review permit applications and conduct construction inspections by providing that the time periods in the Building Code remain in effect for all construction projects, even when the municipal offices are closed because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The amendment also establishes that conditional permits can be issued for non-essential construction during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The amendment will remain in effect for as long as municipal building department offices are closed to the public for in-person services due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
As the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread around the globe, employers need to know their legal rights and obligations as it relates to the Canadian workplace. The following are some of the most pressing Frequently Asked Questions.
The impacts to construction projects, litigation, and health and safety vary across provinces and territories. Following is a guideline resource for how each province and territory is managing COVID-19’s impact on the construction industry
Maestro and Spiria, in collaboration with Oriso, announce a new online questionnaire (Sentinel) to facilitate the validation of construction workers’ health status.
Fatality & Critical Injury Year-to-Date Overview – Construction in Ontario
With the ever-changing COVID-19 situation and the new relief programs being introduced, it’s become difficult to understand what’s available for farmers and how to qualify.With this set of Q&As, we want to help you through these financial changes, so you can focus on ensuring quality Canadian food continues to be produced.
The coronavirus outbreak sweeping the country has made construction projects more unpredictable than ever. To take control in this unpredictable time, construction companies should consider five practical next steps as part of their larger crisis response.
Invitation to complimentary webinar May 8th @ 8:30am
The CCA is asking all those in the industry to support the creation of an Emergency COVID-19 Construction Cost Reimbursement Program by sending a letter to your Member of Parliament. It takes only two minutes to make your voice heard.
Effective May 1, 2020, the Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Program Standard, and the Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification Provider Standard have been amended to allow for the following changes.
The amended standards now:
• Allow JHSC members to complete Part One training entirely online
• Extend the timeline for JHSC members who complete Part One training to give them 12 months to complete their Part Two training
• Remove the need for JHSC members to apply for extensions or complete Refresher after Part One
The ministry has also made changes to the eLearning Instructional Design Guidelines and the JHSC provider application guidelines. Providers who want to apply to deliver Part One via eLearning should fill out the existing application form and follow the steps in the application guidelines.
These standards replace the existing standards that came into force on March 1, 2016.
Providers and programs that are already CPO-approved will remain approved and training completed before May 1, 2020 will remain valid.
eLearning training is especially valuable now, while we are all forced to make changes to our daily lives and the way we work and learn.
In these unprecedented times, access to current information is crucial to ensuring your safety and making informed business decisions and this is particularly the case in relation to construction, which continues to operate through the COVID-19 pandemic. See the following reference guide to the changed construction landscape that COVID-19 has effected through consideration of six subjects:
Stronger together - We've come together as an industry and a country in times of tragedy and crisis
Province Takes Critical Steps to Help Businesses Adapt to New Environment
* (New) Canadian Construction Association Guidelines
* Best Practices for the Employer - Responding to a Suspected COVID-19 Exposure
* Best Practices for the Constructor - Responding to a Suspected COVID-19 Exposure
* Guidance on Construction Facility Hygiene During COVID-19
* Guidance on Construction Supervisor Responsibilities (COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure)
* Guidance on Fuelling of Vehicles During COVID-19
* Guidance on Handling and Receiving Packages (All Persons at Work or at Home) During COVID-19
* Guidance on Tool Sharing (Hand Tools) Constructor/Employer Procedure During COVID-19
* Guidance on Worker Procedures Handling Paperwork During COVID-19
* Guidance on Cleaning and Sanitizing Inside Your Vehicle During COVID-19
* Guidance on PPE (Cleaning Respirators) During COVID-19
Information to ensure that Ontario contractors, workers, and their families keep their worksites as safe as possible, as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic
Information for Construction Contractors to incorporate for sustainability
As of April 21, 2020 - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions for Employers regarding COVID-19.
Office of the Chief Prevention Officer shares physical distancing posters with construction stakeholders
This is a special edition of What’s New, mainly devoted to workplace issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak to help keep you safe and informed.
Message from Mary Van Buren, President, Canadian Construction Association. The CFBA's Gary van Bolderen sits on the CCA's General Contractors Advisory Council.
