The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba has announced it's cutting rates for construction firms that encourage a safe workplace.

The Incentive Plan in Construction will cut WCB rates by five percent for firms that earn safety association accreditation through the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, or the Consttruction Safety Association of Manitoba.

The plan starts January 1st, and is open to over 5,500 construction firms. It will be funded by the construction firms through a small surcharge increase, which doesn't apply to other industries.

CJOB's Brett Megarry reporting.

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‘Banker to the poor’ Nobel Peace Prize won by Muhammad Yunus ...

On Friday, October 13, the Peace Prize, crown of the awards, was conferred on Bangladeshs Muhammad Yunus, dubbed the banker to the poor, and his Grameen Bank for helping millions escape the poverty trap through a system of small-scale loans.
Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means, said Ole Danbolt Mjoes, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Muhammad Yunus has shown himself to be a leader who has managed to translate visions into practical action for the benefit of millions of people, not only in Bangladesh, but also in many other countries.
Yunus began fighting poverty during a 1974 famine in Bangladesh with a loan of 27 dollars to save a group of villagers from the clutches of moneylenders.

The Blue Book of Building and Construction Announces an Alliance ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Blue Book is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with the RSA (Reprographer's Services Association). In an effort to facilitate the time-sensitive bidding stage of a project, The Blue Book has integrated its Invitation to Bid Messaging service within the RSA members' online plan room offerings, including PlanCommand™ and e-Distribution. This integration will enable users of those services (owners, architects and general contractors) to quickly and easily find the contractors and suppliers that they need for a project within The Blue Book's industry-leading database and message them via email or fax for free, using the Blue Book's Invitation to Bid Messaging Service. The Invitation to Bid will include a link back to the user's private plan room in PlanCommand or e-Distribution.