WCB Offers Rate Reduction to Accredited Construction Firms

 

The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba announced an important prevention initiative that offers a financial incentive to construction firms that encourage safety in their workplace by implementing an accredited safety program.

The Incentive Plan in Construction is a pilot program that includes a five per cent reduction in WCB assessment rates for construction firms that earn safety association accreditation, an important step in decreasing workplace injuries. Safety accreditation is offered by the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association's Safety Health and Environment Program (SHEP) and the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba (CSAM).

“We are pleased that the WCB is recognizing the commitment of accredited companies,” says Kevin Skinner, Vice-President & District Manager of PCL Constructors Ltd. “We have a goal of zero incidents on our projects as safety is a high priority and a key element in the success of the company. Accreditation is a worthy standard for businesses, and we should all commit to raising the bar.”

Accreditation in a safety program is open to the more than 5,500 construction industry employers. They must undergo rigourous safety training, develop a company safety manual, develop and implement an approved health and safety program and pass an independent safety audit.

“An accredited safety program has been good for our business,” explains Gord Lee, President of Nelson River Construction Inc. “By establishing proper practices in workplace safety, we can help prevent injuries, ensure the health of our employees, and focus on what we do best – construction.”

“The Incentive Plan is the latest in a multi-faceted approach to fighting construction-related injuries in Manitoba,” says WCB Chairperson Tom Farrell. “This program provides a real, tangible incentive to construction employers of all sizes to make safe work a way of life in their workplace.”

Large accredited employers receive a Certificate of Recognition (COR) from their respective safety association, while smaller employers receive either the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR), or the Small Business Safety Certificate (SBSC).

In addition to maintaining accreditation, the employer must be in good standing with the WCB, and maintain other standard criteria set by the WCB and the Workplace Safety and Health Division.

The three-year pilot program begins in January, 2007. The initiative will be funded by a nominal increase in the surcharge paid by all construction employers in Manitoba. There will be no additional cost to employers in other industries.

 

For further information contact:

Warren Preece, Director of Communications, WCB of Manitoba, 204-954-4113

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Request for Interest: Part-time Instructors/Facilitators

The Civil Engineering Technology department at Red River College requires part-time instructors/facilitators to deliver short courses in the Gold Seal program. The courses and workshops are delivered through the Technology Solutions for the Workplace industry training initiative. Topic areas include the following:

• Project Management
• Construction Planning & Scheduling
• Construction Estimating
• Law and Contracts for Construction
• Project Costing Control and Accounting
• Construction Job Site Controls

Courses are intended to run from two to four consecutive work days, sometimes including a Saturday. If you would like to share your knowledge and expertise to help individuals seeking Gold Seal certification, then consider this opportunity. Contact the Civil Engineering Technology department directly for further information.

Jerry Johnstone, CET
Project Co-ordinator - Technology Solutions
Civil Engineering Technology
Red River College
A1-31P – 2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 0J9
P 632-2008
F 633-6075
E jjohnstone@rrc.mb.ca

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Construct Manitoba:

Building/Property Forum and Trade Show

On November 8 and 9, 2006, the Construct Manitoba Forum and Trade Show will present a series of seminars and a large trade show at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. The trade show features 100 - 150 exhibitors representing building, construction and property industries in the province. Construct Manitoba is offering over 100 seminar sessions for organizations to hold educational seminars, training sessions, product demonstrations, professional development courses, motivational presentations, safety workshops, etc.  Contact Construct Manitoba for more information. www.constructmanitoba.com

The links for the registrations are as follows:

CCDC 2 Registration Form

Revay Registration Form

 

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Special Bulletin: CCA Finance Committee

New Federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit

 

The May 2, 2006, Federal Budget introduced a new federal Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit intended to encourage employers to hire new apprentices in eligible trades. While there were other tax measures announced regarding apprenticeship in the Budget, this particular measure became effective immediately. In other words, the credit is available to eligible employers in respect of salaries and wages that are paid to qualifying apprentices on or after May 2, 2006*. 

This new measure provides eligible employers with a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10 per cent of the salaries and wages paid to qualifying apprentices to a maximum of $2,000 per year, per apprentice. 

How do Employers claim the credit?

The credit is a non-refundable tax credit. Non-refundable means that the credit can only be used to reduce federal tax payable and can only be claimed when filing a federal tax return. It does not provide for any cash refund or rebate. Unused portions of the credit may be carried back three years and forward 20 years by the employer to reduce federal income taxes otherwise payable in those years.

How do Employers know if they qualify?

 

An eligible employer is a business that incurs salaries and wages in respect of a qualifying apprentice. Special rules will apply where an apprentice works for two or more related employers in a year so that the maximum tax credit in a given year in respect of that apprentice that each of the employers can claim does not exceed $2,000.

A qualifying apprentice is an apprentice who is working in a qualifying trade in the first two years (i.e. 24 months) of his/her provincially registered apprenticeship contract with an eligible employer on or after May 2, 2006.

A qualifying trade is a trade prescribed by the legislation and initially includes only the current 45 Red Seal trades. The Minister of Finance may, in consultation with the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD), put forth regulations to prescribe other trades, which are “economically strategic”, to be a qualifying trade. The Minister of HRSD will consult with the provinces and the territories to determine those trades and so recommend to the Minister of Finance. A list of the current Red Seal trades can be found at this link: www.red-seal.ca/Site/trades/analist_e.htm

* NOTE: This particular measure was not part of the current Federal Budget Bill C-13 and is not slated to be passed into law by Parliament until the fall 2006 session. As a result, further details will not be available until then. Once passed, however, it will be retroactive to May 2, 2006. 

 

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Education News

 

November 18 – 1 day

• Mechanical - Blue Print Reading at Red River College (Gold Seal Accredited)

November 22 -  

• Gold Seal Certification Presentation (Thinking of obtaining your gold seal certification and want to know how? Come to this free session at the WCA offices and find out.)

November 7, 21 - December 5

• Assante Capital Management is presenting four noon hour sessions. Watch for registration information.

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         Comments or questions? 

 

Email: wca@wpgca.com

 

Visit our full website at www.wpgca.com

Winnipeg Construction Association is located at

290 Burnell Street , Winnipeg , MB R3G 2A7

(204)775-8664

Copyright of Winnipeg Construction Association © 2006. 

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