LATEST NEWS 
August 19, 2008
Bulgarian construction safety blitz uncovers numerous violations
BANSKO, BULGARIA
After inspecting 14 construction sites in Bansko, Bulgaria, the country’s Labour and Social Policy Ministry suspended work on four sites and ordered various building equipment to cease operating because of safety concerns, Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported.
The ministry found workers from 13 companies on the sites and demanded all necessary paperwork showing compliance with the state’s labour and work safety regulations to be submitted. The inspections took place July 26.
During its inspection, the ministry registered various safety violations such as unguarded openings and staircases, dangerous pits, makeshift electrical control panels and exposed feeder cables as well as equipment with unguarded rotating and moving parts.
A common labour law offence is that of companies hiring workers without offering them employment contracts or national insurance, reports BTA. During the mass check, six employees were found without contracts. On-site, inspectors also fined some of the workers for not using helmets.
The status of five workers, all Chinese citizens, remains to be seen. These workers were discovered fitting an elevator in a residential building in Bansko. Inquires have been sent to the Ministry of Interior and the National Employment Agency (NEA).
DCN News Services
| MOST POPULAR STORIES |
- Kiewit and Finning Canada workers die in Thormanby Island plane crash
- Victims of Thormanby Island plane crash identified
- RCMP release details of investigation into Thormanby Island plane crash
- United States Steel Corp. cuts 677 jobs, blames weaker demand
- BIM software helps predict buildings’ LEED performance
- 20 Most Popular Stories
| CURRENT STORIES |
- PCR dusts off cancelled plans and materials to build Windsor Family Credit Union Centre
- Downtown Markham project remains on schedule, despite tumultuous financial markets
- U.S. homebuilding activity plummets to record low in October 2008
- Declining economy challenges Windsor construction industry
- Architecture Billings Index in the U.S. falls five points in October 2008
- Rising debt costs raise doubt about future of large wind-power projects, some experts say
- Throne Speech promises further investments in infrastructure projects and trades training
- New home sales in the Greater Toronto Area remained resilient in October, BILD says
- Ontario exports to rise moderately in 2009, after double-digit decline in 2008, says EDC
- Weakest small-business economic outlook resides in Ontario
- Canadian businesses react positively to latest Throne Speech
| ALEX’S BLOG |
Reed Construction Data Chief Economist Alex Carrick discusses current developments in Canada's economic environment. He also shares light-hearted reflections on life and current events.
Economics Blog More 
- The Outlook for Canada’s Home Renovation Market (November 21, 2008)
- Labor Markets in a Recession − Production Workers to Take a Pasting (November 20, 2008)
- Canada’s Construction Starts have Underperformed in 2008 (November 14, 2008)
Lifestyle Blog More
- The Most Serious Letter in the Alphabet (November 17, 2008)
- The Wise Old Rooster (November 10, 2008)
| PROJECT NEWS BRIEFS |
Updates on Canadian construction projects from Reed Construction Data’s research team. More
- Great Lands Global Realty begins work on Mona Lisa condominium (Nov 18, 2008)
- Life Construction accepts sub-trade pricing for Bayview Villas townhouse development (Nov 17, 2008)
- Joseph D. Battaglia Architect seeks municipal approvals for North York development (Nov 14, 2008)
- Page+Steele approaches completion of working drawings for Bravo condominium (Nov 14, 2008)
- Burka Architects complete designs for Brownstones on Wallace project (Nov 14, 2008)
