Archive for category: Safety Resources

Safety glasses, gloves, respirator, hard hat, long sleeves, welding lid, knee pads, traction aid, ear plugs the list goes on and on. Sometimes donning your PPE can feel like a Stormtrooper gearing up to save the death star. In every trades person’s career, there will be times when you may get the urge to take something off for just a second, not realizing that it only takes a second for an injury to occur. Three days into a new job as a second year welding apprentice, I took my gloves off to put colored tape on something I just inspected and I sliced my thumb pretty bad. My foreman was standing right there and off to first aid I went. I ended up getting written up for taking my gloves off. At the time I was furious. But now looking back, it was a lesson well learned. Something more serious could have happened to me. Whether your respirator is too bulky under your welding lid, your safety glasses don’t look cool, or your gloves are bunchy, make sure you keep ALL of your PPE on to protect yourself. Even if you do happen to look like a Stormtrooper.

Scaffolding isn’t just put up by anyone, it’s erected by people trained to do it professionally and then thoroughly inspected. Scaffolding changes frequently, so here’s a few do’s and don’ts.

Always check the inspection tag. It’s located on the ladder of the entrance and any other point of entry. Check to make sure the inspection is up to date. A red tag is unsafe for use, do not enter under any circumstance. If it’s missing this tag, don’t use the scaffold and tell your foreman. A yellow tag will tell you everything you need to know. The last time it was inspected, by whom, when it expires, the duty rating, and any risk factors to watch out for.

Make sure to never climb the ladder with your hands or pockets full of tools. You’re more likely to fall if you don’t have 3 points of contact on the ladder which is impossible with a mit full of tools. Putting something in your pocket may seem like a good idea, till it falls out (which it will) and hits the person below you. Always use a tool hoist to bring tools up and back down. Make sure not to leave them on the scaffolding.

Scaffolding is not a jungle gym, so don’t treat it like one. The fixed ladder is for climbing and nothing else. So climbing the railings is unacceptable. You’re not a monkey. Follow the rules.

Modifications should be left to the professionals. Sometimes a scaffold tube is way too close to the weld you have to do or the tubing you need to run, whatever the reason may be, you cannot do the modification. Talk to your foreman, he/she will get in touch with the scaffolders so they can do it correctly. This isn’t the easiest or quickest process, so really make sure you can’t do the task at hand without the mod. This is why they have mirrors for welding.

Always make sure the platform is safe. Even if the tag says everything looks good, there could be hazards to watch out for. Mud, ice, snow and debris. If you need to shovel a deck then do so, do what you need to make it safe for you and your co-workers. Your safety is up to you, don’t monkey around.

Victoria day….the first long weekend in what feels like summer. Finally time to get that yard cleaned up, maybe find a patio for a cold one, or hit the road for the first camping trip of the season. No matter what you get up to this weekend, just know that the roads are way more dangerous over the next three days than usual. Victoria day long weekend claims an average of 4 lives in Alberta and 3 in B.C. With a staggering amount of crashes, roughly 1700-2500.

Make sure you steer clear of the following traffic violations:

Drinking & Driving. I honestly can’t believe in 2018 this is still happening. This is a simple one… If you drink don’t drive. If you’ve only had a couple and you’re not sure? Always play it safe and cab it. When going out for the night, plan a safe way home. Don’t count on your intoxicated self, have something in place. Also please stop the excuses. If you can afford to drink you can afford an Uber home or call a friend or your mom. There is no excuse for risking your life or that of any one else.

Speeding & Aggressive Driving. Just slow it down! Even though it may feel like you’re getting to your destination quicker…is 2 minutes really worth risking human life? Speed is a contributing factor in 27% of fatalities. Watch out for accidents, emergency crews on the road, construction and school zones. Make sure you follow the posted speed limit. Also make sure not to tailgate, weave in and out of traffic, run reds, cut people off and everything else associated with being an aggressive driver.

Distracted Driving. Another one I can’t believe we still have to talk about. No matter how quick you think you are at reading your texts or emails, you’re not. When using your phone while driving, you are 5 times more likely to crash. Either use hands free, pull over or just wait till you get to your destination.

Fatigue. This one is not usually on anyone’s radar. But being severely fatigued can have the same damaging effects as being intoxicated. If you have to, pull over and nap.

Lastly make sure to put your seat belt on. Even if you’re just going down the street. (80% of car accidents happen 25 miles from home).  It literally takes 2 seconds to click it on and you are 70% more likely to survive a crash with it on. Why wouldn’t you wear it?

Please make sure to take extra measures this weekend on the road. Whether you arrive in an Uber, taxi, late, or with a full inbox, make sure you arrive safe and sound with many more long weekends in your future.

Confined spaces are not always the obvious tank that needs to be welded from the inside. A confined space might be that trench you have to climb down into, or the crawl space underneath the house, or if you’re lucky, really really lucky, the engine room on your yacht.

In Alberta, these type of work spaces fall into one of two categories: either a restricted space or a confined space, and the rules governing them differs. So, it’s important to know which one you are about to enter, so you leave the same as you came in.

A restricted space is a work area that people don’t generally like to hangout in, and is hard to enter and exit but that’s the only hazard you’ll encounter.

A confined space is a restricted space that has hazards or potential hazards above just access and egress.…like fumes or lack of oxygen from welding or H2S seeping up out of the ground as you dig. You can find all the specifics around the hazards you need to consider in the OH&S Code in Alberta or your jurisdiction’s applicable OH&S legislation.

Some sites or companies may choose to follow procedures for a confined space, even if by definition, it is a restricted space. This is operating on the side of caution and taking any guesswork out of your safety. But don’t rely on your employer to identify confined spaces for you, especially since you won’t just run into them (no pun intended and don’t run) while at work.  Use the same precautions at home (or on your yacht) as your employer puts in place at work. Stay safe and always make sure you have a permit (at work) and a rescue plan.

We also offer a Confined Space training course at our facilities.

Did you know that having your safety tickets is just the first step? Just because you passed your elevated work platform on a JLG in an open warehouse does not give you free rein to start maneuvering a 1850SJ under the high line. You need to be deemed competent. This is an important step often overlooked. Just like a driving a car, you need practice. It is your responsibility (and your employers) to ensure you are competent on that piece of equipment as well as competent using it for the task and location at hand.

Be honest. Tell your foreman you just received your ticket and need practice. They will most likely pair you up with someone who’s experienced. This way you can watch a competent worker and get hands-on experience till you feel comfortable.

Always keep a look out, watch other workers and ask questions. Do not operate machinery until you feel comfortable. Remember, it’s your job on the line if you cause property damage or hurt someone else. Most importantly it’s your life on the line.