health & safety
Prioritizing safety, protecting people, and strengthening the industry
Investing in Protecting the Workforce
SAFETY FIRST
Ensuring the safety of B.C.’s waterfront workforce is our top priority. At the B.C. Maritime Employers Association, safety is not just a protocol—it’s a way of life. Our member companies’ investments empower the BCMEA to deliver top-tier training and critical safety initiatives that make sure every worker is equipped with ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ skills to do their jobs safely. With a strong emphasis on continuous improvement in health and safety outcomes, the BCMEA plays a critical role in fostering a culture of safety on the waterfront.
Empowering change on the Waterfront
Comprehensive Violence and Harassment Prevention Training
The BCMEA has successfully trained more than 8,200 waterfront workers in a comprehensive violence and harassment prevention program (WVHPP). This initiative—the first of its kind for B.C.’s waterfront—has been instrumental in raising awareness of respectful workplace practices and empowering waterfront workers to speak up against bullying and violence. The success of this training has led to us becoming the Presenting Partner of the Be More Than a Bystander program that ensures high school students across the province can identify and stand up against bullying, harassment and gender-based violence.
Investing in a Culture of Care
ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING RESOURCES
The waterfront is not immune to the struggles associated with mental health and personal wellness. At the BCMEA, we’re committed to supporting longshore workers’ health in and out of the workplace by providing access to essential resources. Aimed at reducing the stigma related to mental health and substance use challenges, the ILWU-BCMEA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is designed to help find ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ resources to support the waterfront workforce on their health, wellness and recovery journeys.
The EAP is an online awareness and education service that provides resources, tools, links and contacts for mental health and addiction help (including public self-help resources & union Health Benefits available to eligible members and their families) – targeting those who need help and those looking to give help.
ILWU union members and all Board Casuals (and RWF Casuals) can access the EAP.
Be More Than a Bystander
WE ALL PLAY A ROLE IN CREATING AN INCLUSIVE RESPECTFUL WORKPLACE
Comprehensive Employee Assistance
BCMEA Accessibility Plan
We are proud to support and value diversity and inclusion amongst our teams and in our workplace. We are committed to providing a welcoming, accessible, barrier-free, environment for employees, union members, and association members whenever possible. Our commitment is to advance as a workplace and association that is accessible for everyone and ensures that we are making progress in ensuring that participation and opportunities are barrier-free and equally accessible across all identities and irrespective of one’s abilities.
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Provide a safe and welcoming environment and promote employment opportunities for employees living with disabilities.
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Ensure that all our facilities are barrier-free for all by evaluating the safety and security of the BCMEA’s facilities and the jobs performed on-site to prioritize accessibility upgrades.
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Develop a communication standard for the BCMEA that is designed to be barrier-free and supports accessibility from inception.
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To enhance the accessibility of all training programs and services while considering bona fide occupational requirements as they relate to the safety of the work sites.