Video: What Can You Expect on Your First Day?

/in , /by

This great video was developed by the British Columbia Construction Association. Watch video

Toronto Council Green Lights Litigation Provision

/in , /by

CCA President Michael Atkinson on the effect of these kinds of provisions: “It would drive perfectly reputable, great contractors away from doing business with public owners. There are other ways to deal with this and I think that’s what the industry would like to see — rather than public bodies that run into what they consider problems and concerns with bad apples, that they don’t immediately jump to this kind of approach. It’s like using a hammer instead of a screwdriver. I think that’s where sitting down and consulting with their industry partners might go a long way.” Read more

DCC Announces Launch of Next Phase of Its e-procurement Solution

/in , /by

Starting in August 2016, DCC will begin accepting online electronic bids (e-bids) for tenders that require bid security, using the service provider MERX, an independent private sector tendering service. E-bids for tenders that do not require bid security are already accepted.  Read more

Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council Review

/in , /by

CANS president, Duncan Williams, received a letter from Deputy Minister, Duff Montgomerie, expressing his appreciation for CANS’s input during the governance and operational review of the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Council.

The review conducted by Royer Thompson has helped the department identify ways to focus the Council in providing the best strategic advice to the Minister. The future Council and its direction could not have been developed without your participation and thoughtful feedback. The website, http://novascotia.ca/lae/pubs/docs/OHSAC-Report.pdf, provides the full report and recommendations. The Minister has accepted this in full and is taking steps through a Transition Committee to best establish a new Council.

GM Developed ‘Roboglove’ Could Make Construction Workers Stronger, Less Fatigued

/in , /by

With the introduction of 3D printers on construction job sites, many are worried that robots will begin taking over the jobs of hardworking tradesmen.  It’s more likely, however, that workers will be working WITH robots long before we’re completely replaced. Read more

East Coast Researchers Looking to Use Recycled Tires to Help Build Bridges

/in , /by

With potential uses in a range of engineering projects, a team of Dalhousie researchers is aiming to use tire-derived aggregate to strengthen soft soil. Read more

Indestructible Bridges Could Be Possible with ‘Form-finding’ Design Process

/in , /by

A new generation of indestructible bridges could be possible, thanks to research being done at the University of Warwick. Read more

Vancouver Approves Zero Emissions Building Plan

/in , /by

The City of Vancouver will be changing the way energy use in new buildings is regulated to target greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions instead of energy efficiency levels.Read more

WELL Building Standard Means Designing for Human Health

/in , /by

The WELL Building Standard combines best practices in design and construction with evidence-based medical and scientific research and harnessing the built environment as a means of supporting the health and well-being of those who work in the building. It is an independently verified, performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring the features of the built environment that have an impact on human health.Read more

The Role of Wearable Technology in Risk Reduction

/in , /by

An assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech has studied much of the existing literature and identified various problems in the industry’s current practices. Young-Corbett explores a new field of engineering known as Prevention through Design, which suggests the optimal method of preventing occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities is to “design out” the hazards and risk with tools, equipment, systems and facilities. Wearable technology has become a major part of this new way of thinking. Read more