Navigating today’s work environment, especially in trades like automotive repair, brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. With women representing a mere 1% of employees in skilled trade positions, and a hefty portion of the workforce heading towards retirement, it’s vital to open our doors and create spaces where women can thrive. But how do we shape our workplaces to be truly welcoming to women?

The key might be simpler than we think: make workplaces genuinely welcoming for all. Here’s how.

The ARA remains dedicated to supporting and elevating the success of automotive entrepreneurs and professionals, and to creating an environment where the industry can thrive. Your continued involvement and support are vital to this journey, and we look forward to achieving new milestones together.

Stan was born September 8, 1938, in Vancouver, B.C., and he passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on December 20, 2023. He is lovingly survived by his wife of 63 years, Rose; his son, Rick, with his wife, Jennifer; grandson, Tanner; daughter, Michele; daughter, Renee, with her husband, Erwin; brother, George, with his wife, Joy; and many nieces and nephews. Stan was pre-deceased by his brother, Cliff, with his wife, Shirley; and his sister, Patricia, with her husband, Lyle.

Living in Vancouver, Stan started playing the piano at age four. He would listen to a song and then he would teach himself how to play it. He continued with music all his life. In his teens, he jammed with many, including his friend Tommy Chong, and he continued his music career as he started up bands such as The Hi-Fives in the 50s.�� The Hi-Fives cut several records, which can be found on YouTube today (Fujikama, The Warrior, Mean Old Women, Cold Wind, Goin Away).

Stan and his band also played with other famous people such as Della Reese and Sammy Davis Junior, to name just a couple. They played often in local clubs around the Lower Mainland in places such as the New Delhi. Stan was the piano man they called “Red” due to his red hair.

Later he formed another band call The Blue Notes. Again, he played at local clubs and often played at The Variety Club to help the children in need.

Stan also had a love for cars and worked during the day in auto body, repairing cars at an early age. He met his wife Rose in 1960, and they were together since. He moved his family to Ladner, B.C. in 1971, and by 1977, he opened Ladner Auto Body Ltd. Stan joined the ARA in 1977, and among his many achievements, he became president of the ARA in 1992, when he became a powerful advocate for the industry.

Stan was respected by everyone. His son Rick followed in his footsteps, taking over the family business to continue the Ladner Auto Body legacy. This allowed Stan to retire, and although he retired from his music career and playing in clubs in the 70s, he still met up with fellow band members to have jam nights and play at special events.

Outside of work, Stan loved to travel with his family and friends. He will be missed by all. Stan’s wish was to not have a funeral.�� His soul lives on in the people he touched.

Rest in Peace Stanley Davis Richardson.

The ARA’s Entrepreneur of the Year award is conferred on a member who has a passion for the automotive industry, an understanding of best business practices, and a compelling vision for the industry’s future.

Nominees for this award are typically characterized by their forward-thinking attitude, meticulous planning skills, positive interpersonal skills, positive community influence, solid ethics and integrity, and relentless desire for self-improvement.

Identifying this year’s winner presented a challenge for the ARA board. With two exceptional nominations, the board found itself in a deadlock, resulting in two tied votes. Given the outstanding contributions of both nominees, the board decided to honour both individuals at the association’s Members Retreat and Gala Fundraiser, held in Osoyoos, B.C., September 29-30, 2023. Unfortunately, Walter Morse could not attend in person.

There are moments in history when we can identify updates that change the industry forever. The adoption of unibody construction and the implementation of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) serve as two such examples. Is AI that next defining update?

91���Ѽ has announced the adoption and implementation of the Mitchell Intelligence Review (MIR) starting October 17, 2023. However, 91���Ѽ has provided no details yet about how they intend to use this system, its potential impact, or any benefits that the industry might derive. The information about MIR on provides only a basic overview of its AI capabilities.

91���Ѽ’s announcement (sent to Collision Repair Program partners on October 12, 2023) has stated that the corporation’s intent is to modernize the material damage business while delivering on their commitment to keeping rates affordable for British Columbians. Could this be a tool that provides positive outcomes for assisting 91���Ѽ in resolving delays in repair estimate authorizations and repairability decisions, or could it have negative consequences for the industry?��

The reality is we have an industry that is already struggling to remain viable due to the impact of manpower shortages that are affecting its ability to service clientele. In this environment, having a program that could result in further negative impacts to industry would be short sighted.

And what about AI itself? Could it be beneficial? It really depends on your perspective. AI is likely to transform and revolutionize the automotive sector from a new vehicle development point of view, offering advances in autonomous vehicles and intelligent traffic management. It could also shape a future where mobility is safer, more efficient, and more connected than ever before.��

What about the use of AI by insurance companies? What could this transformation look like? Industry already utilizes estimating systems that consistently and rationally determine the hours needed for vehicle disassembly and reassembly hours of operation. These systems also dictate the hours 91���Ѽd to complete refinish operations. However, these systems do not resolve all repair 91���Ѽments, such as identifying the number of hours 91���Ѽd to complete repairs to damaged panels.

So, industry is left with the most important question: What direction do insurers such as 91���Ѽ plan to take with AI? Will AI take further control from industry? Will AI control repair hours based on images?

Experience with our insurance provider demonstrates many operations are under scrutiny or eliminated by modifications to policy. The most recent example was that says: “The value of any item not listed (selectable and approved for payment in Mitchell or is expressly and specifically authorized for payment) is included in the applicable labour rate.” This has expanded to include even those items specifically noted by Mitchell as not included operations.

Industry is aware of the measures taken by insurers to control costs, measures that limit the inclusion of operations they deem outside their policy, or efforts to pass costs on to the industry. When you consider insurer collision repair programs that provide other oversight that lists 91���Ѽments, expectations, and punitive measures for non-compliance, you start to become concerned about any remaining area of control by industry.

Truly, the only control exercised by a shop is based on their skill in interpreting the hours and operations necessary to complete a repair. This is based on their years of expertise, their 91���Ѽ to a multitude of damage scenarios, the use of OEM repair guidelines, and the application of policies and procedures to ascertain operations that are included (versus those that are not).

My hope is our insurer uses AI to promote the use of OEM repair processes and calibrations to encourage industry to complete repairs to ensure that customers receive a repaired vehicle capable of responding to a future accident as originally designed.

So, will the adoption of AI be a threat to industry or a method to improve overall service? Time will tell.

“Breathing in smoke can be dangerous for workers, as it is a form of air pollution that contains a complex mixture of harmful gases, fine particles, and chemicals,” says Colin Murray, senior manager in WorkSafeBC’s Risk Analysis Unit. “Prolonged 91���Ѽ can lead to a range of health issues, including respiratory problems, an aggravation of asthma, eye irritation, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.”

Individual responses to smoke vary, with certain groups being more vulnerable to its health impacts. Specific worker populations should limit their 91���Ѽ, including those with pre-existing conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, and diabetes; pregnant individuals; elderly people; and those with current or recent respiratory infections such as COVID-19. Healthy individuals can also be affected and should watch for symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, eye irritation, and headaches, and then reduce 91���Ѽ as needed.

As the most effective means of protection, employers must eliminate smoke 91���Ѽ wherever possible for both indoor and outdoor workers. Where elimination is not possible, employers must minimize 91���Ѽ by implementing the following controls as practicable:

• Limit strenuous outdoor work.
• Encourage breaks in spaces with better indoor air quality.
• For outdoor workers, ensure proper N95 respirator fit, guided by occupational health experts.
• Rely on the air quality health index (AQHI) when scheduling outdoor work activities and determining the 91���Ѽd controls, including appropriate PPE.
• Supply ample water, as hydration is key to reducing inflammation.
• Set up portable HEPA air cleaners in specific indoor areas to ensure clean air.
• Consult with a qualified HVAC technician or ventilation engineer to evaluate and adjust HVAC systems.
• Advise workers in vehicles to keep vents and windows closed and operate the air conditioning in “recirculate” mode. Workers should open the windows occasionally in areas with good air quality to prevent carbon dioxide from building up inside the vehicles.
• Collaborate with workers and joint health and safety committees or representatives to devise plans for workers with chronic conditions, keeping necessary medications on hand.

WorkSafeBC emphasizes that effective risk management 91���Ѽs ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of control measures based on changing conditions. Employers should regularly consult with their workers to assess the effectiveness of their wildfire smoke controls and adjust as needed.

Employers in B.C. are 91���Ѽd to:��

• Conduct a risk assessment to determine the most likely emergency situations in your workplace.
• Develop appropriate written procedures for evacuation or rescue.
• Provide well-marked means of escape in the event of an emergency.
• Ensure that emergency procedures consider the safety of disabled workers.
• Conduct drills at least once every year.
• Provide training to employees in emergency procedures and fire prevention.
• Have first aid resources onsite.
• Provide appropriate personal protective equipment for workers doing the rescue or evacuation.

Resources

• Media backgrounder:��
• Information sheet:��
• Information sheet:��

About WorkSafeBC
WorkSafeBC engages workers and employers to prevent injury, disease, and disability in B.C. When work-related injuries or diseases occur, WorkSafeBC provides compensation and support to people in their recovery, rehabilitation, and safe return to work. We serve 2.6 million workers and 270,000 employers across B.C.

For more information, contact:
Media Relations, WorkSafeBC
Email:��media@worksafebc.com
Tel: 604-276-515