by SHCA SHCA

Sask. WCB Offers Relief Measures for Employers

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.

The Government of Saskatchewan announced various measures to support provincial business owners during the COVID-19 crisis. To provide further relief for Saskatchewan employers, the WCB is:

  • Forgiving interest and penalties for late payments on 2020 premiums applied in the month of March.
  • Prioritizing employer payroll revisions to help employers reduce their premiums.
  • Suspending payroll audits until further notice except in situations where an employer may be eligible for a refund.

“We are dealing with extraordinary circumstances throughout the province of Saskatchewan. Recognizing the economic challenges many employers are facing, we are introducing these relief measures for covered employers while balancing our financial obligations,” said the WCB’s CEO Phil Germain. “By giving employers extra time to submit their payments without facing any penalties, they will be able to communicate their revised payroll estimates to the WCB and determine payment plan options.”

Employers who have reduced their workforce are encouraged to submit revisions to their 2020 assessable payroll estimates, which the WCB will use to recalculate their required premiums. Employers who have concerns about paying their 2020 premiums should contact the WCB to discuss their options.

Effective immediately, to ensure employers can release payment to their contractors promptly during the COVID-19 crisis, clearance letters will be available for employers that meet specific criteria, even in cases where the contractor’s WCB account has not been paid. Employers will not be liable for any outstanding WCB premiums the contractor owes.

Under the WCB’s legislation, The Workers’ Compensation Act, 2013, the WCB is required to be fully funded at all times.

The WCB will continue to monitor this situation and make decisions that balance the needs of employers and injured workers.

Learn more on the WCB’s website.

by SHCA SHCA

Collecting Masks for Frontline Healthcare Workers

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has picked up almost 700 respirators from a stockpile provided by construction companies, according to the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association (SHCA).

SHCA president Shantel Lipp said the stockpile had grown to 1,400 since she put out a call to member companies and partner associations on March 21.

Read the rest of the article from the Leader-Post here.

SHCA members with supplies to donate can drop them off at the SHCA office for pick-up by the SHA.

Shantel Lipp - SHCA President
by SHCA SHCA

Essential Now and Later

If anything is certain today, it is that we are living in uncertain times.

When will we see a light at the end of this seemingly endless COVID-19 tunnel? What will our economy look like when we do? How will we recover?

When life does return to normal – and it will one day – Canadians will look to our industry as one that can lead us to a stronger economic future.

We know there’s an infrastructure deficit in this country that ranges anywhere from $125 billion to $600 billion. That spells a massive opportunity for those in our industry and it may just be the spark to reloading the Canadian economy once the pandemic has been defeated.

In previous economic meltdowns, public-sponsored projects played a major role in stimulating jobs and firing up the consumer economy. It’s one of the reasons Saskatchewan has more roads than just about anywhere – we built them in the 1930s.

These roads are in need of maintenance and new roads are begging to be built.

Yes, a number of communities within our province and our country have announced business closures and have stated that only organizations necessary to provide essential services are permitted to operate.

Thankfully, that includes our industry.

Many of us can forge ahead with our projects this season, albeit under strict health and safety guidelines. Canada’s National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure lists transportation infrastructure as an essential service to the health, safety, security and economic wellbeing of Canadians and the effective functioning of government.

Services and functions essential to preserving life, health and basic societal functioning also are included. Our first responders, healthcare workers, hydro and natural gas workers and those who supply food and medicines all rely on our network of roads and highways to perform.

It is critical that these services continue to operate, just as it’s critical for our industry to continue to operate.

The money being spent now at all levels of government will get us through the immediate challenges we face. However, that money will leave no long-term assets behind. Building infrastructure will create a legacy serving the economy for the next 50 years.

And that’s when it will be our time to shine. Be ready.

I wish all of our members good health during these challenging times.

by SHCA SHCA

Notice to SHCA Members about the Coronavirus

With CONEXPO ongoing this week and the 2020 construction season kicking off, SHCA is advising all members to ensure they have the proper preventative measures in place to address any potential exposure to COVID-19.

Safety is always a priority on jobsites and managing the risk of COVID-19 should be no exception. Simply from a human resources perspective, tradespeople can’t work from home, so we strongly encourage employers to provide common sense advice about the simple actions employees are expected to take to reduce the risk. We also suggest they have a clear policy regarding when workers should stay home, enforce sanitary standards in portable washrooms and keep hand sanitizer stocked when running water isn’t available.

The following are guidelines for workers/travelers:

It is important for all travelers to monitor their health when they return to Canada. While abroad, you may have come in contact with COVID-19. Monitor for fever, cough and difficulty breathing for 14 days after you arrive in Canada. If you have these symptoms, contact HealthLine 811 for assessment and direction.

The research and data on COVID-19 continues to grow and evolve. Advice for travelers will be updated based on the latest science available.

The public health risk associated with COVID-19 remains low for Canada. Public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available.

Symptoms of coronavirus

Common signs include respiratory symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Older people or those with chronic illnesses may be at higher risk for a more severe form of the disease.

 

Treatment of coronavirus

Like most respiratory illnesses, most people with common coronavirus illness will recover on their own. There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a novel coronavirus. However, many of the symptoms can and should be treated. If symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, see a health care provider or call Healthline at 811. If you are planning to see your health care provider or go to the emergency room, please call ahead and explain your symptoms and travel history so they can make appropriate safety accommodations.

How to protect yourself against coronavirus

Currently, there is no approved vaccine that protects against coronaviruses in humans.

As a respiratory illness, the best method to protect yourself against coronavirus is to practice everyday preventive actions, including:

  • Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Maintain safe food practices; and
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

There is no evidence that surgical masks protect persons who are not sick. The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of any masks if you do not have a travel history and respiratory symptoms. If you have respiratory symptoms such as cough or difficulty breathing and a relevant travel history, you should wear a surgical/procedure mask when seeking medical care at a health facility. If you are going to a health care facility for treatment of your respiratory illness and do not have a mask, ask for one at the admission desk and one will be provided to you.

by SHCA SHCA

SHCA Member Action Needed: Add Your Voice to Ours

In February, SHCA sent a package to the respective Members of the Legislature on both sides of the house, regarding our continued concerns over delayed project tenders and slow awards. Along with this letter is a proposed timeline as well as economic information that support a continued need for a strategic, long-term plan for the government’s most important asset – our highway and transportation system.

We are asking all of our member companies to endorse our letter to strengthen the association’s position that the health of the heavy construction sector in Saskatchewan is critical to our province’s wellbeing. You can do that by contacting your local MLA, sharing this information with them and adding your voice and/or signature to our letter. 

Download the Microsoft Word version of the letter here; we ask you to add your signature and company name to the bottom and send it in to your MLA.

Tell them that Good Governments Invest in Good Roads because Good Roads build the economy, Good Roads save money, Good Roads save lives, Good Roads create jobs, Good Governments don’t cut corners. We need a procurement process with defined timelines, one that is transparent and doesn’t offload risk onto the businesses that lift up our economy and support local communities.

SHCA wants to be part of the solution when it comes to fixing the procurement process so it can save our members and taxpayers money. Please support our fight by sharing this information with your local MLA.

On behalf of the SHCA Board of Directors, we thank you for your interest in adding your voice to ours so that we can speak louder!

View the letter that was sent out to Saskatchewan MLAs here, and again, download the Microsoft Word version here so that you can add your signature and send it to your local MLA.

by SHCA SHCA

You’re Invited – OHS Investigations & Workplace Safety Law: An Update

The legal landscape relating to workplace safety law is constantly evolving and changing. Increasing inspection and enforcement activities are serious matters for your organization. Do you know your rights if an incident occurs and the regulators are asking to interview your employees? Does your organization know how to properly navigate prime contractor responsibilities? Are you aware of recent developments regarding Saskatchewan’s OHS sentencing laws? Is your drug and alcohol policy up to date following the recent legalization of cannabis?

Join MLT Aikins LLP for this full-day seminar, which will provide an occupational health & safety update on changing policies, potential corrective action, recent developments and help you prepare for future investigations

On the Agenda:

  • Drug and Alcohol Policies: A Review
  • Update on Current Cases & Developments
  • Appealing Notices of Contravention: Process, Procedure & Current Policies
  • Prime Contractor and Prime Contractor Plans: An Overview
  • Mock Investigation & Interaction with Regulator

REGINA – Tuesday, March 24 
Delta Hotel
Register for the Regina session

SASKATOON – Wednesday, March 25 
TCU Place
Register for the Saskatoon session

8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Cost: $475 + GST
Discounts available for CPHR Members.

This event has been pre-approved for 6 CPD hours with CPHR Saskatchewan and the Law Society of Saskatchewan.

by SHCA SHCA

Sask 1st Call New Ticket Request Process

Sask 1st Call is excited to announce that it joined the Western Before You Dig consortia and transitioned to a new software platform on March 1, 2020 for all new locate requests. We expect that by joining this partnership and moving to the OneCallAccess platform, Sask 1st Call users will benefit through:

Collaborating and unifying of “One Call” services across Western Canada to improve damage prevention processes and promote public safety.

Leveraging best- in-class technology, and best practices, to improve and standardize the line locate request experience for our users and members. 

What is changing?

Sask 1st Call web portal will be updated with new functionality to make it more user-friendly and intuitive. The portal will be a mobile-friendly platform meaning there is no separate App for phone or tablet. All users will need to re-register their information with Sask 1st Call to request tickets with the new software. Online chat support is available to assist the user during the process.

Mandatory dig site mapping will be required on every request with no ability to add additional attachments. With the mapping, you control the shape, size and location of your dig area so facility owners get their information directly from the source. New ticket options are available to help determine the size of the work area and will assist our member companies in allocating locating resources. More online use means reduced phone wait times when you need to speak to an agent.

The list of companies being notified on your request will be available as soon as you submit your request. No processing delays.

Online ticket editing: Correct or renew your existing tickets online.

Sask 1st Call is moving from two-day notification to three-day notification period for regular tickets. Locates may be completed prior to the three days depending on member company response. Emergency locate requests will continue with 24-hour service.

What do I need to do?

Attend Sask 1st Call webinars to learn more about new software/new ticket request process.

The webinar will review the locate submission process and help you understand the ticket fields and software features. The host will go through the web portal step-by-step and attendees can pose questions. These webinars are being held twice weekly, every Wednesday at 10:30 AM – 12 PM and Friday at 12 PM to 1:30 PM until the end of March 2020.

Please encourage your employees, colleagues, and contractors to take this training. Once training is completed, contractors can register with the software to create an account and receive their new Customer ID.

Registration is required, to sign up for an online webinar,

Click: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4410211912203365900

Questions/Comments?

For more information, visit www.sask1stcall.com or email: beforeyoudig@sask1stcall.com