Archive for category: Tool Box Talks

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.

In this tech savvy world, it’s hard to believe that you can’t use your phone, or even have it on you at work, right? Actually no. There are two simple reasons why you can’t.

1. Obviously for work production reasons, and
2. Safety!

Cell phones are not intrinsically safe. Big word…I know right. So what does that mean? It means that cell phones give off thermal and electrical energy that could cause sparks and therefore possibly fire and explosions. Also, remember when all the Galaxy Note 7 phones were recalled? Yeah…lithium batteries can burst into flames when contact to oxygen is made. So hashtagging while on certain sites could potentially cost you and your co-workers your lives.

Is that really worth it?  

Working at Heights Ontario is now available at all our facilities…Learn more and book today!

Working at heights can be a bit nerve racking for some, but it’s also a very necessary part of any trade, so you won’t be getting out of it too easily. Here are a few tips to take the nerves out of the equation.

1. Always give all of your fall pro gear an inspection. Every time! Even if you just used it before lunch and now you’re heading back up. You never know what happened to it while it was hanging in the boot room. If something does go wrong, you want to be confident that everything is in good working order.
2. Do you know how much clearance you need, from that tie-off point you’re using, to keep you from bottoming out?  How about what you might whack into as you swing back-and-forth? And….what about your free fall? How much will it hurt as your equipment stops your fall?  Here are some simple light-hearted animations that show an easy way to figure it all out. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3CPfxshoDL_OayJkOenIRA?view_as=subscriber
3. Make a plan! What if you do fall? Are you just going to hang there till someone notices? I’d hope not. This equipment is made to save you in case of a fall, but you don’t want to be dangling there for too long. After a short period of time you can start to lose consciousness, lose limbs and even die. So make a rescue plan. Work closely with your partner, foreman and the emergency crew on site.