Construction Safety Network ensuring safety as British Columbia phase of
EQuilibrium(TM) demonstration homes breaks ground!

BURNABY, BC, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - The Construction Safety Network (CSN) has signed on to provide safety training and resources to workers breaking ground on BC's new Green Dream EQuilibrium(TM) Demonstration Home. From a call for proposals in 2008 the Green Dream Home project was selected to be the British Columbia installment of the 15 EQuilibrium(TM) demonstration homes being built across Canada .

Launched in 2005, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) led the EQuilibrium(TM) Sustainable Housing Demonstration Initiative to bring together the private and public sectors to build homes and communities designed to be healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly, resource-efficient and produce as much energy as they consume on an annual basis.

From a total of 72 builder and developer-led teams that submitted proposals an evaluation committee of independent housing experts selected 12 teams in 2006 to build homes in the Prairie Region, Ontario, and Quebec . Now, 3 more teams have been selected to complete EQuilibrium(TM) demonstration homes in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada for a total of 15 EQTM demonstration homes across Canada .

The winners each receive $60,000 from CMHC to help offset specific costs relating to the documentation of their projects, carrying out quality assurance and demonstrating the homes to the general public. The Construction Safety Network is proud to sponsor the project by donating safety training and personnel resources to ensure the build is both green and safe.

The EQuilibrium(TM) Demonstration Home is being built by Nexbuild Construction a company certified by the CSN to Certificate of Recognition safety standards. Certificate of Recognition (COR) is a nationally recognized program which rewards companies for maintaining safe work practices. The home will reside at 1858 Ironwood Terrace in the Sun Rivers Golf Resort Community. Once complete, the demonstration homes will remain open for public and professional tours for a minimum six-month period. This will allow Canadians to learn first-hand about available sustainable housing choices, while demonstrating to industry professionals how to deliver better environmental products and services to their clients.

Besides offering safety and best practices programs the CSN provides services and innovative safety tools designed especially for construction supervisors and employers. To learn more about the Green Dream Home initiative and the CSN please visit our website at www.safetynetwork.bc.ca

For further information: Media contact: Alicia Brady, [phone], [email protected]