But today I am tired, I am worried, and I am saddened. With the announcement that construction is still considered an essential service, comments have been popping up on media sites from workers and their families. Like this one from Jessica who posted to Ontario Construction News:

Many workers are scared.  Their families are scared. And rightly so. This is an uncertain new world that we are living in right now. I know I have had moments this past week where I have completely identified with Jessica's comments too.

I am heartened to read reports of many companies and unions acting quickly to step up to add additional safety measures. Their stories should serve as inspiration for best practices to all companies. More porta-potties, more hand washing stations, increased social distancing, staggering breaks and extending project deadlines are just some controls these larger companies are putting in place. It's not easy or inexpensive to quickly change direction, but many companies are doing just that, using super human efforts to change processes and introduce controls that didn't exist a mere two weeks ago. We started posting these resources on our website which you can read here. But there is one type of specific situation that weighs me down the most.

It is the small company.
Not all...just one breed in particular.

The one who already doesn't care much about health and safety. I've heard you in our classrooms, grumbling about conspiracy theories and money grabs. The one who feels you don't need training because you've never had an accident before -  "we've always done it this way" is your go-to answer for everything. You don't need to change and you certainly don't bother to take care of your workers despite the regulations and threat of fines.

And now that we are in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, I am worried that you, the health and safety nay-sayer, will do little to nothing to protect your workers from this. And in failing them, you will be failing the rest of us by allowing situations where the virus can spread. You are a risk to everyone.

In a 2018 Report released by the (then) Ministry of Labour that studied over 92 fatal falls, a very clear picture emerged from the data. Workers most likely to experience a fatal fall were definfed by the following criteria:

• worked for companies with fewer than five employees
• were often at job sites with less than 3 employees
• were over the age of 45
• most likely to have fallen off a roof

If you work for a company that fits the above description, I would urge you to exercise your rights. If your company has historically not done much to protect you from other workplace injuries, what makes you think they will start now?

If your job site is unsafe, if you feel exposed to the COVID-19 virus then don't go, or quit, or try to be the change. But in the end, if your employer is not going to stand up for your safety, then go find an employer who will. No paycheque can replace you, or the deep value you have to your children, spouse, partner, parents and friends who love you.

Mandatory Working at Heights training came into effect on April 1, 2015. The Chief Prevention Officer of the Ministry of Labour has outlined the requirements for this training and it is mandatory that your WAH training be refreshed every three years. (WAHR)

You must take WAHR three years from the date on your card.
For example, if you completed WAH on October 1, 2015, your refresher training is due by October 1, 2018.

If your card has expired, you are no longer permitted to work at heights.
I f you are caught working at heights with an expired card you are subject to MLTSD fines.

• At the moment, If your card has expired, you are still permitted to take WAHR training as per Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development guidelines. However, there is something in the works, and we might expect this to change in the near future.

​
You must provide proof of WAH training when registering for WAHR. 

• A valid WAH card; (from an approved training provider);
• your MOL Working at Heights card and/or
• your MOL student number.

A shout out to #Belleville! Here at Safety Guys, we are experiencing a demand for WAHR, especially in the Belleville area, where we have been averaging 3-5 WAHR classes per week as workers in the region prepare for spring.

We are running weekly public courses scheduled in Kingston and Belleville.  Classes are filling up quickly, and we are adding more as instructors become available. Monitor our website for the newest listings or call our office for assistance. 

You also have the option of booking a private training session for groups of 6 or more. Contact us to discuss arrangements and group discounts for 12 students.

Like so many other blogs out there, this one is typically reserved for articles and posting about industry related topics. But on this day, November 11, 2018, I feel the need to share something personal about me, and about the people that make Safety Guys a company I am so proud to call my own.

Most of you know me as the voice on the other end of the phone, I'm the behind the scenes girl that helps keep our company growing. Every Remembrance Day it is important for me to post our banner in remembrance and share a tweet...not for the clicks, but because this day is special.

I was lucky enough to have two fathers in my life, both gone far too early. My father passed away when he was only 40. He was a brilliant entrepreneur and I feel I may have been lucky enough to receive the right kind of genes that have helped me on the journey of becoming an entrepreneur myself. My second Dad, my wonderful step-father, was Major Grant Bryan Hunt. Bryan was the sort of person that everyone loved. He was determined, hard working, unbelievably charming and had a wicked sense of humour. Many a Friday night was spent laughing at his jokes and stories out on the back deck. Add his best friend Carl Holmberg into the mix, and almost anything could happen. The two were shameless.

Bryan was a proud member of our Canadian Armed Forces for almost thirty years, and embraced that spirit, body and soul. Dedicated, loyal and unfaltering. His favourite saying was "if you don't have time to do it right the first time, how the hell are you going to find the time to it again." That phrase really defines everything I do now, its not always perfect, but I believe we owe it to ourselves and to the clients we serve to try and get it right, to create as perfect an experience as possible.

In a bit of an epiphany this morning, I realize Paul and I have been fortunate to find trainers that reflect all of the values that my Dad, and that we hold dear. Matt, Chris, and our newest guy John, all work and train with an honest passion and a dedication to our students. Like my Dad, they are very easy going, act with integrity and honour, and they all have a very unique sense of humour. They are so much fun to work with, and I am so lucky to say everyday is a great day working with our team.

Today I will remember my Dad for his service to our country and for the love he gave me, my sister and my Mom when he was here. It has been twenty years since he left us and we laid a final poppy for him. I will be thinking of all you who have lost someone or have someone you hold dear serving our country abroad. Please take a moment today to remember all those who have fought for us and continue to fight for us.

May peace eventually find us all.

I've been helping a business associate recently with the redesign of his website that offers all natural mold removal products. I thought I already knew a lot about mold and how it can make us sick, but in researching his products and countless articles I came to realize that my even my mold awareness level was not as high it should be.

​For those of you in construction, who take on remodels or restoration work, or for homeowners who may suspect they have mold or mildew problems, knowledge is everything.  You need to take every step you can to protect yourself and family if you have had water damage, if you live in an older home, or you suspect there is mold in you home. Even the smallest amounts can affect us, and everyone has a different tolerance level.

​Mold exposure can result in a condition know as Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), which can be debilitating and leave you feeling sick for a very long time. On her website, Life After Mold, Dr. Lauren Tessier, provides information and treatment options for those suffering from  mold exposure and CIRS. In Canada, please talk with your family doctor to explore treatment options if you have been diagnosed or suspect you may be suffering from mold exposure.

Although many people know that mold exposure can cause respiratory difficulties, not many know that it can cause an array of other complaints such as:​

Information from the CDC (Centre for Disease Control)

We're introducing a new feature to our website, open to anyone who has a questions related to virtually anything related to safety whether that involves training, regulations, equipment, procedures, the OHSA.... Submit your question to brenda@safetyguystraining.com and our resident expert Amanda from All Safety Consulting will provide you with the answers you need.

Hi Amanda - I own a landscaping company, and some of the equipment we use, like backpack blowers can get pretty loud.  I want to make sure we protect the hearing of our employees, what steps could you recommend to make sure we doing everything right.  ~ Ted W.
​

Hi Ted ~ I'm glad you asked that question! First you need to determine the db levels of the equipment. There is an app available from iTunes that you can download, Decibel X: dB, dBA Noise Meter. You can also rent or buy a dB meters or have a professional come out and perform the testing for you. Either way it is crucial to measure the dB for each piece of equipment. Backpack blowers are especially harmful and require two sets of protection.

​If you ever unsure, for example after renting or buying a new piece of equipment, and cannot find information from the manufacturer then the best course of action is the make sure the workers hearing is protected to the highest level.  The could require double hearing protect (plugs and muffs).  There is also ear-fit (hearing protection) testing.  This is a device that tests the effectiveness of hearing protection base on db exposure.  

The WSIB claims for noise induced hearing loss is at its highest ever.  When hiring new workers it is in the best interest of the employer to request a hearing test, then the employer has a bench mark.  Have the employee go through ear-fit hearing protection testing to ensure they are fully protected and document the results.  If in the future that employee has a noise induced hearing loss claim your company would be protected from any responsibility.  Usually this type of claim goes to the workers last employer.  If the last employer shows proof that it didn’t happen while the employee worked for them then WSIB goes to the next employer and so on.

Fall is here again and with that comes a seasonal increase in the spread of colds, flu and viral infections. In fact, as I write this, I have two staff off sick and three family members suffering at home with the same viral infection that is spreading through Kingston.

​As an employer, there is nothing quite as nerve wracking as someone calling in sick. Worse is the accompanying thought of germs having already been spread by that employee throughout the workplace...potentially leading to the temporary loss of an entire workforce for days. It can be a nightmare scenario for small business and their clients when it is imperative to meet deadlines to keep the cash flowing and complete projects on time. I worry about this, and I know I'm not alone. Sick workers have a real impact on productivity and to a lesser degree staff morale as other workers attempt to keep up with an increased workload.

Instead of feeling helpless though, it is better to don those protective gloves and start preparing to prevent or minimize the occurrence of colds, flus and other nasty viruses at work this fall and winter.

1. Encourage employees to go home immediately and stay home if they begin to feel sick at work. While this may seem inconvenient, it is better to have one staff member at home than witness your workforce go down one by one as contagion spreads.
2. Protect the well - Allow employees to work from home if possible until the spread of flu seems to have dissipated - our staff have laptops and a phone plan that allows them to work remotely.
3. Stock up on hygiene products to help prevent the spread of cold and flu – these include tissues, disinfecting wipes, soap, and hand sanitizer. 
4. Encourage employees to wash their hands regularly throughout the day especially after coughing or sneezing.
5. Avoid touching your face and mouth, this can help prevent germs entering your system. 
6. Avoid touching the bottom of briefcases, knapsacks and the like as they can provide a safe harbour for germs.
7. Purchase air purifiers with HEPA filters for the office that are capable of eliminating air born allergens and viruses.
8. Encourage employees to keep surfaces and equipment clean by wiping them regularly with disinfectant wipes. This is particularly important for shared equipment like telephones, keyboards, door knobs, handles, steering wheels and consoles in company vehicles..
9. Encourage visitors to stay away if they are ill or wear personal protective equipment such as face masks if staying away is not an option. Not easy I know. You may wish to include a statement in your Health & Safety Policy so that your employees and any sub trades are all in agreement about the protocols for dealing with sick employees.
10. Encourage employees to stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, exercising every day, getting enough rest and avoiding dangerous substances like tobacco and alcohol.
11. Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette by covering the mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing  - the better option is to turn head (away from people) and sneeze or cough into the inside of your elbow.
12. Create an email campaign for staff, or hang signs to remind employees to stay away when they are sick and practise hygiene measures like hand washing and good cough and sneeze etiquette to prevent cold and flu transmission.

​

​Mandatory Working at Heights training came into effect on April 1, 2015. The Chief Prevention Officer of the Ministry of Labour has outlined the requirements for this training and it is mandatory that your WAH training be refreshed every three years. (WAHR)

• You must take WAHR three years from the date on your card. For example, if you completed WAH on October 1, 2015, your refresher training is due by October 1, 2018.
• If your card has expired, you are no longer permitted to work at heights, and may be subject to fines if you do so.
• If your card has expired, you are still permitted to take WAHR training as per MOL guidelines.
• You must provide proof of WAH training when registering for WAHR. Options are:
  • A valid WAH card; (from an approved training provider)
  • your MOL Working at Heights card and/or
  • your MOL student number.

Here at Safety Guys, we are ready to address the demand for WAHR. For your convenience, we have many public courses scheduled in Kingston and Belleville. We are excited to announce that we will be expanding this service to our new Bowmanville location in early November. 

Returning and new clients also have the option of booking a private training session for groups of 6 or more. Contact us to discuss arrangements and group discounts for 10-12 students.

SKID STEER
This is a course we have been wanting to offer for a long time, but proper skid steer training requires land disturbance. We are very fortunate to have an awesome landlord who has agreed to let us use the empty property around our Kingston location to run the practical sessions crucial to implementing effective skid steer training.

Skid steers are a versatile machine useful in landscaping, farming and constructions, but they are also very dangerous. Our experienced trainers will show you how to become a safer operator through theory training that covers the regulations and operating principals and hands-on practical training that will provide students with experience on track and wheel base loaders. Two courses have been added for April and May. Register here.

MARCH 29, 2017: The Ministry of Labour has extended the deadline for Working at Heights training to October 1, 2017. ​You must meet the following conditions in order to qualify for this extension:
​ 

1. The worker(s) in question must have completed fall protection training that met the requirements of section 26.2(1) of O. Reg. 213/91 (Construction Projects) before April 1, 2015, and 
2. the worker must be enrolled in a WAH training program that will be completed before October 1, 2017. 
3. The employer must have written proof of enrolment, which must be made available to an inspector upon request.
4. The proof of enrollment must include the name of the worker, the name of the approved training provider, the date on which the approved training is scheduled to be complete, and the name of the approved training program. 

This new extension may offer some relief to companies who have been unable to complete WAH training before the April 1 deadline. We know from many of our students that construction season is enjoying a boom this year and phone calls this month have certainly contained more than stress than usual. We certainly feel for you, the thought of postponing or losing contracts due to the lack of WAH compliance could be devastating to many small businesses.

This extension, though welcome by many, should still be taken very seriously and should not be viewed as a window to buy some time. After the April 1 deadline, Ministry of Labour inspectors may issue compliance orders asking workers and companies to supply Proof of Enrolment in an approved Working at Heights training program. This means that you should register as soon as possible.

We are anticipating that supplying "Proof of Enrolment" to our clients will make our job at Safety Guys slightly trickier. We have always tried to be very flexible and accommodating with our clients and have never minded the occasional substitution on a class list. Moving forward past April 1, we hope you understand that once a final invoice is issued (which must contain the names of all participants), we will not be able to make substitutions in order for that "Proof of Enrolment" to stay current and valid. We can however,  reschedule your employees to a different available date that will work with their schedule.

An important piece of this extension is the ability to supply Ministry of Labout inspectors with your proof or enrolment. Take the time now to devise a system to store your documents. It may seem obvious but a crumpled piece of paper in your back pocket will just not suffice. Maintain a binder in the truck or trailer on mobile sites or store documents electronically on phones or iPads. We are available by phone as well to verify your attendance with the inspector if all else fails.

We will continue to monitor the demand for this training and add public dates when necessary in order to provide the best service to our students.  You can register online for Kingston, Belleville and for members of the Quinte Home Builder's Association. Private training may also be available for groups of 8 or more. We are currently taking reservations for May as the extremely high demand for Working at Heights training is dominating the schedule.