Council of Construction Associations -- The Builders Code sets a new standard for construction worksite culture
(From
left) Builders Code Trainer Diane Bourret and Builders Code Equity Advisors Jessi Dhanju, Adeline Huynh, and Diane Jolicoeur. |
There’s a new voluntary code in town and its designed to make the BC
construction industry more competitive.
Launched March 8, 2019 — International Women’s Day — The Builders Code
sets a standard code of conduct for construction sites in BC. It doesn’t tell
people what to do. It defines an “Acceptable Worksite” as the starting point
for reducing risk and ensuring a safe and productive environment for all
workers.
By helping construction employers to communicate an expectation of
reasonable, consistent behavior, the Builders Code aims to improve the safety,
productivity and retention of skilled tradespeople, while reducing project
risk.
The Builders Code represents the work of dozens of organizations,
individuals and industry stakeholders. The project was developed under the
guidance of the BC Construction Association (BCCA).
“Along with a number of stakeholders, we’ve been involved with panels,
focus groups and research that indicate that there is a shortage of skilled
tradeswomen represented in construction,” says Chris Atchison, president and
CEO of BCCA. “In British Columbia and the rest of Canada, that number is still
well below five per cent.”
When the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training put
out a call for solutions to the labour force challenge, BCCA offered its own
solution to assist the construction industry to become a more viable employment
alternative, both for skilled tradeswomen, and other groups who possessed the
skills that the construction industry required.
To develop what became known as The Builders Code, BCCA partnered with
its regional construction associations and other groups, including LNG Canada,
BCCA Employee Benefit Trust, Worksafe BC, Industry Training Authority, the
Minerva Foundation for BC Women and the BC Construction Safety Alliance. More
than 100 skilled tradeswomen across the province offered their personal
insights.
“As a construction association we know that we have workplace culture
issues, but we’re not the only industry with those same issues,” says Atchison.
“The construction industry is investing so much effort into convincing young
people that construction is a career that provides excellent pay and
opportunities. But we’re building a pipeline of promises that the construction
workplace culture could discourage once they make a choice for construction.”
Lisa Stevens, chief strategy officer for the BCCA, wrote the original
proposal for The Builders Code and continues to support the project.
“Part of the concept was always that The Builders Code is optional,”
she says.
“We want to find the leaders and find the employers who are ready for
change. If you’re not ready for this concept, we’ll be waiting here for you
when you are. Even though the funding for the program came specifically to
support the retention of tradeswomen in the construction industry, The Builders
Code is not exclusively about women, but about everyone on the jobsite”,
Stevens continued.
“It recognizes that hazing, harassment and bullying happen to
everyone, and that these behaviours cause stress and distraction and that leads
to safety and productivity risk. This program focuses on business imperatives,
instead of moral imperatives.”
The Builders Code offers employers a toolkit that includes an acceptable
worksite standard and encourages them to sign an acceptable worksite pledge,
which they can publicly support. Employers can adopt a model Builders Code
human resources policy, or adapt it to fit with an existing policy. The
Builders Code also offers training programs aimed at owners and executives,
site managers and crew members. Guidance from Builders Code program employer
advisors is available to those who signed the Builders Code pledge, but is also
available to any construction industry employer seeking advice about related
workplace issues.
Jessi Dhanju is the Vancouver Island employer advisor for The Builders
Code. There are currently three others: one for the Southern Interior, another
for the Lower Mainland and a fourth for Northern BC.
“Employers are coming to us because they have committed to change,”
says Dhanju.
“They either want to know more about The Builders Code or they want
help with something that’s happening at their workplace. That’s really
encouraging. We try to develop a relationship of trust with employers, often
meeting with them one to one so we can learn more about them”.
There’s sometimes a bit of fear that if they’re using the resources
available to them under The Builder’s Code, they’re identifying themselves as
an employer with issues. We don’t see these as issues. They’re learning opportunities
for change from a cultural perspective.”, Dhanju concluded.
Dhanju sees himself as a coach, providing employers with the information
and support they need, so that they can empower themselves.
“Often employers find they’re not really far off the track,” he
says. “It doesn’t take a big change to help them develop an acceptable
workplace culture. The tech industry is making strides toward greater diversity
and inclusion and now the construction industry can proudly say they’re doing
it too.”
To date, about 50 employers have signed the acceptable worksite pledge
and become Builders Code signatories.
“The effect of the Builders Code is succeeding in moving the
discussion away from mandating diversity and inclusion to one of creating a
compelling case for safety, for productivity and for competitive workplaces,”
says Atchison.
“It’s giving employers the motivation and opportunity to move the
dial on changing the culture of construction. We’re not moving mountains yet,
but we’re turning a lot of heads.”
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