November 26, 1996
(Environment and Labour)

New Construction Safety Association to provide safety training

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment and Labour, announced today that government has approved $300,000 funding each year for the next three years,plus $50,000 start-up money to help in establishing a Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Safety Association. The new association has a mandate to reduce workplace injuries through the introduction of a Construction Safety Program that has two components.

1. Safety training of workers in the industry; and

2. Certificate of Recognition for construction companies.

Under the program, only certified companies will be able to bid on government-funded projects in this province. Government will introduce a policy effective January 1, 1998, that all firms bidding on government funded construction projects in excess of $100,000 will be required to have a Certificate of Recognition. Similarly, effective January 1, 1999, all firms bidding on any government contracts will be required to have a Certificate of Recognition.

This is an important step in standardizing the bidding practices in the Atlantic Region. Currently, Nova Scotia has such a program in place while PEI and New Brunswick have it under consideration. The minister said this program arises out of a strong desire by the industry to improve the safety conditions for their workers in all construction situations.

"I want to commend the construction industry for taking the initiative to reduce the number and the seriousness of injuries that impact the workers in this industry. I am confident that this safety initiative will contribute to a reduction in accidents in workplaces throughout construction industry, result in lower claims costs and a better trained workforce for the province," he said.

The new safety association's program is based on the certification of construction industry employers. To achieve certification, an employer/company must have staff who have completed a series of safety training programs and passed a safety audit conducted by the association.

A board of directors will govern the Construction Safety Association and will be comprised of employers'representatives, a worker's representative and a provincial government representative.

Contact: Teddy Ryan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.