• The impending downlisting of the barn swallow to a species of special concern (both provincially and federally)
• The short-eared owl, currently a species of special concern, is being uplisted to threatened status provincially, and is under consultation for uplisting federally. 
• The lesser yellowlegs, an Arctic shorebird, is being listed as a threatened species both provincially and federally. 
• Two species of bee, the American bumble bee and the Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee, are being added to the provincial and federal lists. The American bumble bee will become a species of special concern, while the Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee will be listed as an endangered species. Neither species has been reported from Ottawa recently, although the American bumble bee was reported nearby in 2012.
• A reminder that while black ash is now listed as an Endangered species provincially due to the impacts of the emerald ash borer, the Minister has deferred protection of the species and its habitat for up to two years from the date of its listing, January 26, 2022.

Committee Updates

Excess Soil Committee
Please see NCHCA's June Excess Soil Bulletin regarding the implications of the pause of the January 1, 2022 requirements. 
Please also see MECP's presentation regarding the pause.  

Late Locates Committee
Please take a moment to assist us in our ongoing efforts to promote an effective, efficient locate system by providing information regarding your late locates here: Reporting Late Locates. The City of Ottawa supports our efforts and will advocate on our behalf when locates are delayed on City projects.

Theft Committee
During the past few weeks there have been several thefts of GPS Positioning Equipment from heavy equipment in the London and St. Thomas area. In addition, contractors continue to have equipment targeted and sometimes stolen with GPS trackers installed.

On June 24, 2022 a tractor-trailer unit was stolen from a carriers yard in the Halton Region. The load contained 4 new CASE Skid Steers with a value of over $300,000.00 the SIN numbers of these items were Case SV340B s/n JAFSV340KNM413167, Case SV340B s/n JAFSV340VNM413142, Case TR270B s/n JAFTR270PNM413151, Case TV370B s/n JAFTV370ENM413177.

Please share any information on lost or found items with Mr. Kevin Shelp, OSWCA Equipment Theft Consultant at 705.794.5764 or Stephen Turner, Chair, NCHCA Theft Committee at sturner@storm.ca.

Health & Safety Committee - Worksite Spotters
Where should spotters be placed on site to best suit the truck drivers or equipment operators? The spotter may not understand the risks associated with spotting and what is required to spot operator and driver safely. We need your help to ensure the spotters we use are consistently and effectively trained. Training should be a combination of practical experience, awareness review of the legal obligations, and review of company rules. This training should address the following: 

• When is a spotter required?
• What are the roles & responsibilities?
• Preventing bad habits
• Hazard Awareness
• Equipment and heavy truck blind spots
• Legal requirements and company regulations

For more information please reach out to your local safety association or email Neil Falls, Chair, NCHCA Safety Committee at nfalls@aecon.com.