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.