A Certified Concrete Pump Operator (CCPO) Program launched four years ago has been a major success for the BC Construction Safety Alliance (BCCSA) and the industry in general.

“It represents a rare occurrence where industry is asking for more – and in this case any – regulation,” states Ammar Kavazovic, Director of Programs & Initiatives for the BCCSA, adding that initially launched as a voluntary certification program, WorkSafeBC has mandated CCPO certification effective the start of next year.

“The concrete pumping industry recognized a serious gap in that anyone could legally operate a concrete pump without any required level of training or certification. As expected, this has led to numerous significant incidents over the years, including fatalities, considering the complex nature of the equipment,” Kavazovic explains. “Our aim is to inform industry and certify as many concrete pump operators as possible by January 1, 2024. If you operate a concrete pump in BC, you must be certified come 2024 to continue working.”

BCCSA is a not-for-profit health and safety as-sociation funded through WorkSafeBC via construction industry employer levies, and represents the over 52,000 construction employers in the province. It is the certifying partner for the Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program, and offers numerous Safety Training program.

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