February 1, 2010

Building and Concrete Restoration Association steering safety task force

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

An industry task force formed after a fatal swing-stage accident to tackle safety issues in the restoration contracting industry is now under the umbrella of the Building and Concrete Restoration Association of Ontario (BCRAO).

“We now have a larger body and larger voice,” said Craig Bowie, vice-president, Bowie Contracting Ltd. and task force member.

“The BCRAO is a group of contractors, manufacturers and engineers, specializing in the field of building concrete restoration.

"The task force working under the BCRAO has worked endlessly to establish a mission statement that supports the view of all the association members and to develop key mandates we may look to impose as an association.”

Since an accident on Christmas Eve that killed four construction workers who plunged 13 storeys to their deaths when a swing-stage came apart, the restoration industry, swing-stage use and safety practices have been under intense media and public scrutiny.

The accident happened at a Kipling Avenue apartment restoration project site.

Restoration contractors started to come together soon after the accident to discuss how to address safety issues and challenges in their industry.

The Toronto Construction Association provided meeting space for the task force and other associations have pledged their support of the task force initiative over a very short time since its inception.

Becoming a part of the BCRAO was part of a natural evolution as the safety task force pushes forward, added Bowie, also a BCRAO board member.

“This is about safety being paramount throughout the industry for the contractors that operate a swing stage,” said Bowie.

“We would like to emphasize our industry is safe, but we are always working towards better health and safety practices as a whole in our industry.”

The BCRAO was established in 1985 and has 100 member companies, but anyone interested in joining the task force will not have to become a BCRAO member.

“We do not want to lose any positive participation by any association,” said Bowie.

As an association, the BCRAO has minimum standards above those imposed in their industry, added Bowie.

“Safe construction practices for swing-stage related restoration programs are currently in place. Standards projects are usually tendered out through restoration qualified engineers on behalf of owners,” explained Bowie.

“Many of the contractors available to bid on such projects are current members of the BCRAO.”

The task force’s immediate plans are taking shape with the goal of sitting down separately with the Ministry of Labour, Workplace and Safety Insurance and Board and Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (which now includes the Construction Safety Association of) to discuss various safety issues and challenges.

Bowie said the group has communicated with Peter Fonseca, Ontario Minister of Labour, and that the minister expressed support of the task force initiative and wants to discuss issues further.

Visit www.bcrao.com for more information.

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