Several major general contractors have joined forces to form the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC), aiming to elevate safety performance and establish innovative new industry benchmarks to protect workers.

Founding members include Aecon, AtkinsRéalis, Bird Construction Inc., Dragados Canada Inc., EllisDon Corporation, EBC, Graham Construction Inc., Kiewit Corporation, Ledcor Industries Inc., PCL Construction, Pennecon, and Pomerleau.

The council is also adopting a new fall protection standard, requiring safety measures such as harnesses and guardrails at 1.8 m (6 ft). This lowers the current standard from 3 m (10 ft), explains a release, and is being adopted to reduce falls, a leading cause of injury in the industry.

The CCSC will also promote the adoption of ANSI level 4 cut-resistant gloves to help reduce the number of hand injuries sustained by nearly half a million Canadian workers each year.

The objectives of the CCSC are as follows:

• Reduce serious injuries and fatalities—Decrease the number of serious and fatal injuries in the construction industry through improved safety practices and protocols
• Champion industry safety improvements—Develop, adopt, and implement best safety practices
• Enhance safety image and relationships
• Networking and education—Provide opportunities for members to share knowledge, access safety resources, and learn from one another
• Leverage industry resources—Use creativity, innovation, and the industry’s collective expertise to establish and maintain higher safety standards
• Mental health awareness—Promote resources and education to support workers’ mental health and overall well-being

The council has launched a website outlining its vision, mandate, and key focus areas.