Best Workers’ Compensation Bc Podcasts (2025)

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When Coordination Fails: Lessons for BC Prime Contractors 10:19

Play Pause

12h ago10:19

10:19

In this gripping episode of The BC Safety Briefing, Michael Chen examines WCAT Decision A1607091—a landmark 2020 case where a natural gas company faced a $64,235 penalty after a worker was crushed between an excavator bucket and a metal tank during a produced water spill cleanup. This episode reveals how the 1998 BC Legislative debates about prime …

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Teacher's Right to Refuse Unsafe Work - Review Division Decision R0300589 5:58

5d ago5:58

5:58

A BC teacher was being hit almost daily by a special needs student, leaving work with bruises. When does workplace violence become an undue hazard? In this episode of The BC Safety Briefing, host Michael Chen examines WorkSafeBC Review Division Decisions R0300589 & R0300609 from July 2023, where Review Officer Tony Fletcher overturned a prevention …

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Episode 6: The Blues of Safety Professionals 11:11

7d ago11:11

11:11

Welcome to a special milestone episode of The BC Safety Briefing - our first deep dive into academic research that shapes our profession. Featured Paper "Investigating the 'blues' of safety professionals" Authors: Didier Delaitre, Justin Larouzée, Jean-Christophe Le Coze, Aurélien Portelli, Eric Rigaud Presented at the 35th European Safety and Reli…

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Part 3 of 3: Serious Injury and Due Diligence Analysis 9:45

8d ago9:45

9:45

Welcome to Part Three of our series examining WCAT decisions involving a BC sawmill company. In this concluding episode, we analyze the most serious case in the series—WCAT Decision A2001896 (2021), where a workplace injury led to a $129,460 administrative penalty that was ultimately cancelled based on due diligence. **Case Overview:** - WCAT Decis…

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Part 2 of 3: Lockout and Confined Space Defense Strategies 10:10

9d ago10:10

10:10

Welcome to Part Two of our three-part series examining WCAT decisions involving a BC sawmill company. In this episode, we analyze two significant cases involving lockout procedures and confined space entry requirements that resulted in penalties totaling over $200,000. **Cases Covered:** - WCAT Decision A1703150 (2019): $75,000 lockout penalty - Th…

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Part 1 of 3: WCAT Success Stories and Due Diligence Lessons 8:59

10d ago8:59

8:59

Welcome to Part One of our three-part series examining a BC sawmill company's remarkable track record at the Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal. In this episode, we analyze two key WCAT decisions that provide valuable insights into how due diligence is assessed at the appeal level. **Cases Covered:** - WCAT Decision A1605590 (2018): $15,000 comb…

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WCAT Decision A2200622: When "High Risk" Isn't So Simple 7:43

12d ago7:43

7:43

In this episode of The BC Safety Briefing, host Michael Chen examines WCAT Decision A2200622, a pivotal case that challenges how WorkSafeBC automatically classifies certain safety violations as "high risk." Episode Highlights: The case of a 3x3 foot excavation that resulted in a $15,911.90 penalty How Policy P2-95-2 mandates automatic "high risk" d…

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Episode 1: Proposed OHSR Amendments - Critical Equipment Safety Updates 9:39

12d ago9:39

9:39

In this episode of The BC Safety Briefing, Michael Chen breaks down major proposed amendments to the BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation that could impact thousands of workplaces across the province. Episode Transcript: [00:00 - Cold Open] A recent wave of proposed amendments to BC's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation could fundamen…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 9: Death,Trauma & Final Thoughts 52:51

3M ago52:51

52:51

In this episode, you’ll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Daniel Snyder for the last time. Daniel talks about a recent overdose death in the community, and the trauma peers face due to high turnover from death and burn out. He discusses which stressors have changed and which have stayed the same over the course of the interview process. T…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 8: Exposure To Death & Trauma 51:42

4M ago51:42

51:42

In this episode, you’ll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Daniel Snyder about exposure to death and trauma and how he copes with it. Daniel describes outlets he uses to deal with stress, the importance of taking breaks to avoid burnout, and steps he is taking to maintain boundaries between his peer work and his personal life. This episode…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 7: Financial Realities & Career Aspirations 48:04

4M ago48:04

48:04

In this episode, you’ll hear Daniel Snyder speak to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the financial realities of peer work and his future career aspirations. Daniel describes the lack of permanent, full-time positions for peers, and how pursuing a career involving only peer work could impact him financially. Daniel also discusses the importance of…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 6: Financial Compensation 49:25

4M ago49:25

49:25

In this episode, you’ll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Daniel Snyder about financial security and the lack of standard payment practices across agencies for peer workers. Daniel discusses how many peers do gig work rather than engaging in salaried employment, and the importance of making peers feel valued by compensating them fairly. T…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 5: Harm Reduction & Human Connection 1:00:05

4M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about differing viewpoints in approaching harm reduction work, the limits of policy solutions, and the importance of human connection for people who use drugs. This episode was recorded on November 22, 2022.By Unsilencing Stories

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 4: Referring to Resources 1:04:50

5M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about referring individuals to resources in his community. Daniel suggests that recovery option should be person-centred and tailored to the individual needs of the person seeking treatment. Daniel explains the importance of keeping those struggling with substance use d…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 3: Community Outreach, Exposure to Death & Trauma 51:39

5M ago51:39

51:39

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about different responses he encounters while doing community outreach, the presence of cynicism in peer spaces in response to the death and trauma peers face in their work and the importance of client centred treatment for those experiencing substance use disorder. Thi…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 2: Stigma 1:03:23

5M ago1:03:23

1:03:23

In this episode, you'll hear Daniel Snyder talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the stigma that surrounds substance use and people who use drugs. He describes the internal stigma he faced as his substance use escalated and the lengths he went to hide his substance use. Daniel also explains that many people in the trades are affected by the ov…

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Daniel Snyder: Interview 1: Introduction 57:15

5M ago57:15

57:15

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Chueng interview Daniel Snyder, a peer harm reduction worker in Langley, BC, for the first time. Daniel introduces himself, describes his lived experience with substance use, his journey to becoming a peer and emphasizes the importance of people who use drugs sharing their stories. This episode was…

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Lily: Episode 7: Exposure to Death and Trauma Continued 27:07

6M ago27:07

27:07

In this episode, you'll hear Lily speak about a recent death in her personal life due to the opioid overdose epidemic with Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung. Lily discusses the shock of her loss as well as the daily impact of grief on her relationships, family, and career. This episode was recorded on December 12, 2022.…

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Lily: Episode 6: Exposure to Death & Trauma 37:45

6M ago37:45

37:45

In this episode, you'll hear Louisa Akai and Esther Cheung interview Lily about her experiences with death and trauma as a peer worker. Lily also discusses the amount of trauma and death she witnessed working in supportive housing, she reflects on the normalisation of loss and death amongst peer workers and discusses her coping strategies that allo…

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Lily: Episode 5: Financial Insecurity 32:00

6M ago32:00

32:00

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Lily about her personal financial stressors as a peer worker. Lily explains that the compensation for peer work remains undervalued and she often struggles to pay her rent and debt as the BC housing market soars. Lily discusses how integral family support is but also illustrates ho…

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Lily: Episode 4: Housing Insecurity 43:33

7M ago43:33

43:33

In this episode, you'll hear Lily talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the extreme barriers faced in her community regarding supportive, safe and affordable housing. Lily discusses the stigmatising effects of the lack of affordability, as well as the difficulty of navigating government systems for housing support. Lily also describes her expe…

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Lily: Episode 3: Financial Insecurity & Burnout 21:38

7M ago21:38

21:38

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung discuss a main stressor with Lily: financial insecurity. Lily discusses how financial compensation for peer workers is often not enough compensation for the extensive shiftwork, stressful working conditions, and burnout that peers face daily. Lily discusses the difficult cycle peer workers c…

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Lily: Episode 2: Winter, Stress & Burnout 33:11

7M ago33:11

33:11

In this episode, you'll hear Lily talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the strain that Winter puts on both peer workers and the people they are supporting. Lily discusses de-escalation techniques, stressful situations at work, and the burnout that often accompanies peer work. Lucas and Esther also ask about Lily's work at workshops, where she…

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Lily: Episode 1: Introduction 39:08

7M ago39:08

39:08

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Lily for the first time. Lily introduces herself and talks about her previous work in Supportive Housing and her current work at a Safer Supply clinic. She also discusses her personal experiences with substance use and the destabilizing effects of a time period where she was unhous…

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Ben: Episode 10: Final Interview 24:19

7M ago24:19

24:19

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Ben for the last time, Ben discusses an upcoming workshop he's hosting about ending internalised stigma. Lucas, Esther, and Ben review the list of stressors to see if Ben has noticed any changes in how the stressors affect him and his work since the interview process began. This ep…

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Ben: Episode 9: Death & Trauma 38:14

7M ago38:14

38:14

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Ben about how often he personally faces death and trauma in his work. Ben explains that it is a constant presence in his work due to the toxic drug crisis and shares some specific incidents and emphasises the importance of safe supply and accessible resources. This episode was reco…

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Ben: Episode 8: Trauma & Stress 41:29

8M ago41:29

41:29

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Ben about exposure to trauma and workplace stress. Ben speaks about the ongoing traumatic experiences he faces related to the toxic drug crisis, the lack of support for vulnerable populations in his community and the challenges associated with sending people away from rural areas t…

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Ben: Episode 7: Housing, Finances & Resources 36:20

8M ago36:20

36:20

In this episode, you'll hear Ben talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about his current living situation and the need for supportive and low-income housing. Ben also tells Esther about his overall confidence in his work and the prospects for future funding. This episode was recorded on November 22, 2022.…

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Ben: Episode 6: Conference in Vancouver & Government Response 33:26

8M ago33:26

33:26

In this episode, you'll hear Ben talk to Luca Akai and Esther Cheung about the positive and negative experiences he had while attending a conference in Vancouver, BC. You will also hear Ben discuss the effect local municipalities can have on peer workers efforts. This episode was recorded on November 22, 2022.…

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Ben: Episode 5: Housing, Burnout & Bureaucracy 42:04

8M ago42:04

42:04

In this episode, you'll hear Ben talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Chung about how housing impacts stability, how peer workers face burnout due to the combination of the toxic drug crisis and the COVID 19 pandemic. And how bureaucracy makes it difficult to come to terms with the reality of working with active drug users. This episode was recorded on No…

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Ben: Episode 4: Housing & Trauma Support 44:10

9M ago44:10

44:10

In this episode, you'll hear Ben talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung, about witnessing the effects of homelessness in his community, the importance of volunteers and the lack of societal support for addressing trauma in peer work, especially in relation to the overdose crisis. This episode was recorded on November 1, 2022…

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Ben: Episode 3: Workshop & Stigma 42:30

9M ago42:30

42:30

In this episode, you'll hear Ben tell Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about a recently hosted workshop and its success. The workshop was focused on overcoming internalised stigma. Ben further describes how stigma is a significant issue in the community and has a detrimental impact on the drug crisis and safer supply initiatives. This episode was recor…

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Ben: Episode 2: Accessing Resources & Financial Security 37:58

9M ago37:58

37:58

In this episode, you'll hear Ben talk to Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung about the challenges of referring individuals to resources in the community, including housing and safer supply. He mentions issues with timely payment for peers and limited resource options. This episode was recorded on October 18, 2022…

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Ben: Episode 1: Introduction 42:37

9M ago42:37

42:37

In this episode, you'll hear Lucas Akai and Esther Cheung interview Ben, a peer harm reduction worker in BC for the first time, Ben introduces himself and speaks about his past and present work in harm reduction, his role as primary caregiver for his paraplegic spouse, the stigma facing drug users, and the challenges he and his partner face in acce…

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Juls Budau: Episode 3: Exposure to Death & Trauma 44:26

10M ago44:26

44:26

In this episode you'll hear Charisma Crystal Thomas interview Juls Budau for the last time. Juls talks about consistently facing trauma in her work and how she often feels stress from this exposure manifest physically. Juls discusses the way that trauma both motivates her to continue her work and makes her feel stress and burnout. She also shares t…

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Juls Budau: Episode 2: Housing 46:01

10M ago46:01

46:01

In this episode, you'll hear Charisma Crystal Thomas interview, Juls Budau about housing challenges and referring individuals to resources. Juls describes instances of people she knows being evicted from supportive housing and the lack of recourse for people in that position. She also discusses common misunderstandings about the concept of safer su…

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Juls Budau: Episode 1: Financial Insecurity, Respect & Recognition at Work 58:05

10M ago58:05

58:05

In this episode, you'll hear Giorgia Ricciardi and Charisma Crystal Thomas interview Juls Budau about financial insecurity and receiving respect and recognition at work. Juls believes she is not paid highly enough for her peer work and explains that she, like many peers is paid through grant funding. Juls questions if peer work is a sustainable car…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 7: Accessing Resources 41:10

10M ago41:10

41:10

In this episode, you'll hear Thomas Chunyungcoo and Melissa Spiridigliozzi interview Ryan Nielson for the last time. Ryan talks about the challenges of navigating bureaucracy when referring individuals to resources, particularly with health authorities, and finding individuals housing opportunities. He also discusses the way that stigma against peo…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 6: Financial Insecurity 42:30

10M ago42:30

42:30

In this episode, you'll hear Ryan Nielson talk to Thomas Chunyungco, Samantha Tsang and Melissa Spiridigliozzi about financial insecurity. He discusses the difficult balance between compensation, working beyond his regular hours, and exposure to trauma at work. Ryan describes the differences a recent promotion has made to his quality of life and ho…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 5: Lack of Respect & Recognition at Work 46:46

11M ago46:46

46:46

In this episode, you'll hear Ryan Nielson talk to Thomas Chunyungco and Samantha Tsang about experiencing a lack of recognition and respect in previous workplaces when being upfront about his substance use. He discusses how the attitudes of his coworkers changed towards him and how he tried to compensate by working extra hard. Ryan discusses the wa…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 4: Death & Trauma (Continued) 34:03

11M ago34:03

34:03

In this interview, you'll hear Ryan Nielson talk to Samantha Tsang about experiencing death and trauma as a result of the opioid crisis. Ryan shares a personal story about the passing of his best friend and the psychological and emotional effects that loss had on him. Ryan also discusses experiencing the loss of several people he underwent treatmen…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 3: Death & Trauma 34:11

11M ago34:11

34:11

In this interview, you'll hear Ryan Nielson talk to Thomas Chunyungco and Samantha Tsang about plans to bring in someone to train himself and the peers he works with about how to deal with trauma. He talks about how exposure to trauma in his past and through his work has changed him. Ryan also speaks about the challenges of working with familiar co…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 2: Housing Crisis 52:32

11M ago52:32

52:32

In this episode, you'll hear Ryan Nielson talk to Samantha Tsang about how essential it is to have stable housing and how maintaining his housing allowed him to have a safe space throughout his substance use. Ryan discusses his experience of being kicked out of his home when he was 18, the stress that comes with moving or losing housing due to rent…

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Ryan Nielsen: Episode 1: Introduction 32:40

12M ago32:40

32:40

In this episode, you'll hear Thomas Chunyungco and Samantha Tsang interview Ryan Nielson for the first time. Ryan introduces himself and talks about his personal experiences with substance use and how this lived experience motivates him in his peer work. He also speaks about how he was able to hide his substance use from his employers and the psych…

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Taija McLuckie: Episode 10: Decriminalization 36:43

12M ago36:43

36:43

In this episode, Caitlin Burritt interviews Taija McLuckie for the last time. Taija discusses the recent decriminalisation of drugs in BC, which exempts adults carrying 2.5 grammes or less of illicit drugs from being subject to arrest or criminal charges, and or, having the drug seized. She discusses the limitations of the three year pilot programm…

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Taija McLuckie: Episode 9: Death, Grief & Thoughts on Project 32:52

12M ago32:52

32:52

In this episode, Taija McLuckie talks to Caitlin Burritt about death and grief. Taija shares about the passing of her friend and her own approach to dealing with grief. She also speaks about the challenges that the holiday season presents for people who use drugs and how her lived experience helps her connect with the people in her community. Gloss…

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Taija McLuckie: Episode 8: RCMP Encounter & Triggers 30:04

1y ago30:04

30:04

In this episode, Taija McLuckie tells Caitlin Burritt and Ashley White about a recent interaction with an RCMP officer. She discusses the way the experience made her feel triggered and the support she received from our coworkers. Taija also explains the way policing effects access to local peer-led services and the repercussions that talking with p…

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Taija McLuckie: Episode 7: Stigma & Treatment 40:35

1y ago40:35

40:35

In this episode, Taija McLuckie tells Caitlin Burritt about her experience in treatment centres and problems within the treatment system. She also discusses the role that stigma plays in recovery, the importance of including peers in the recovery process, and her early work as a peer worker. Glossary: Brave COOP: The cooperative of people responsib…

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Taija McLuckie: Episode 6: Housing Insecurity & Support at Work 44:00

1y ago44:00

44:00

In this episode, Taija Mcluckie talks with Caitlin Burritt about housing insecurity and the amount of work she has to do outside of her main job to support herself. Taija also speaks about how supportive the organisation she works for is towards peer workers and how feeling valued at work makes her feel motivated. Glossary: Brave COOP: The cooperat…

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Taija McLuckie: Episode 5: Exposure to Death & Trauma Continued 40:46

1y ago40:46

40:46

In this episode, you'll hear Tajia McLuckie tell Caitlin Burritt and Ashley White about the recent passing of a friend due to a fatal overdose. She received the news the morning she was supposed to give a presentation about harm reduction to Island Health. Taija describes how supportive her current work environment is and how important it is that p…