Health & Safety

Each of our affiliates offer world-class health and safety training at a variety of different locations.

Safety Passport Program

The Finishing Trades Institute of British Columbia (FTIBC) administers the Safety Passport Program for IUPAT DC38 members. The FTIBC offers safety training courses throughout the year in the evenings and on weekends.

Heavy Equipment Operator Training

IUOE Local 115’s Maple Ridge training site is one of the leading Heavy Equipment Operator Training facilities in the country. At over 40 acres, the training site features real-life hands-on access to over 25 pieces of equipment used in the field and realistic job site conditions.

Training programs run throughout the year with over 300 students accessing training and upgrading annually. Training programs are available to members and non-members. IUOE Local 115’s Training Association (IUOETA) is accredited with the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB), and is an Industry Training Association designated trainer.

Their instructors, who are experienced tradespeople, regularly serve as subject matter experts in over 21 trade areas. They also set the standard: IUOETA participate in developing National Occupational Standards for heavy equipment operation.

Since 1985, IUOETA has been the only designated training provider for the Red Seal Mobile Crane Operator program.

Addiction Assistance

The Construction Industry Rehab Plan, is a benefit available to LiUNA Local 1611 members and their families. The plan is available at no additional cost, for anyone who is struggling with issues around Mental Health and/or Addiction. Although the plan is provided as part of their benefits, it operates as an independent organization to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

In 2016 the plan underwent an extensive redesign and expansion, bringing the treatment program up-to-date, grounded in solid scientific and evidence-based practices. All clinical staff are trained mental health and addiction specialists with a minimum of a Masters Degree, with backgrounds in Psychology and Social Work. They provide confidential and specialized services in:

• Trauma counseling
• Mental health screening
• Mental health assessments
• Mental health coaching
• Skype counseling for those ‘out of area’
• Relapse prevention
• Family counseling
• Psychoeducational workshops
• Training for staff within the industry
• Specialized women’s programming – (coming soon)
• Group counseling – (coming soon)
• Recovery group work – (coming soon)
• Recovery coaches – (coming soon)
• Referrals to residential treatment programs

Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System – WHMIS – is a major response to Canadian workers’ right to know more about safety and health hazards of materials used in the workplace.

Exposure to hazardous material can contribute to many serious health effects such as kidney or lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and dermatitis. Some materials can cause fires or explosions.

Due to the seriousness of such problems and the lack of information available to many employers and employees, it was agreed to implement WHMIS with the goal of reduced incidence of illnesses and injuries caused by hazardous materials in the workplace.

WHMIS Legislation provides employees, employers, and suppliers nationwide with specific vital information about hazardous materials. Booklets are available which are designed to provide basic information about these key requirements:

• Controlled product labeling – which alerts workers to the identity and dangers of products and to basic safety precautions;
• Material safety data sheets (MSDS) – the technical bulletins which provide detailed hazard and precautionary information;
• Worker education and training programs, protection of confidential business information.