Dozens of contractors chowed down on a warm breakfast as they got a refresher course on worksite safety last Wednesday morning.
Nearly 150 workers filled St. Mary’s Cultural Centre on Apr. 18 for a Contractors Safety Breakfast. Saskatchewan Common Ground Alliance (SCGA) hosted the event. People arrived at St. Mary’s at 7:30 a.m. for a meal of eggs, sausages, potatoes, and toast.
The breakfast was part of SCGA’s Safe Digging month, which began at the start of April. SCGA is hosting 23 morning meals across Saskatchewan this month as they spread a worksite safety message: Watch where you dig.
“Make sure you dig safe,” said Sally Cain, Executive Director with SCGA. “The big message is prevention.”
Cain said the spring season is the right time for this event, since many contractors are gearing up for new work in the warmer weather.
“It’s a good time to...refresh them on the things that they need to know before they start digging,” she said.
SCGA unveiled a nearly-20-minute long video discussing the keys to safe digging. Talking heads and demonstrations highlighted the necessary steps for ensuring workers don’t accidently destroy anything hiding underground.
Decades ago, it was easy to dig underground with relative confidence that nothing would be in the way. Now, with hundreds of miles of different pipes running beneath Saskatchewan, workers have to be very careful where they dig. A misstep could result in major damage.
“Too often we receive calls that underground lines have been ruptured,” said Rock Beaton, representing SaskPower.
Perry Gurksi, a SaskEnergy representative, said there were nearly 140 line hits in Saskatchewan last year.
During a panel discussion after the video, several speakers stressed the importance of digging safety.
“We’ve seen undeground digs cause housefires,” said Yorkton Fire Chief Trevor Morrissey. “In our department, we’d rather prevent than respond.
“You’re never paid less for being safe.”
Speakers said contractors should contact Sask 1st Call to schedule a “locate” appointment. An inspector will survey the work area and mark any areas with underground pipes.
“Take the time [and] do the pre-planning,” said Erin Rodger, a representative for Sask 1st Call.
The speakers also encouraged workers to look above and watch for powerlines, as heavy-duty trucks have been known to get snagged in them.
Cain said SCGA is always looking for more data on accidents. Workers who experience worksite incidents or near-misses are encouraged to use the Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) page on the SCGA website.
“If we know the causes, we can prevent them,” Cain said.
Cain also urged contractors to support Bill S-229. The federal bill, which has passed its first reading, will mandate that people working with underground infrastructure must register with the proper centres, such as Sask 1st Call.
“This legislation is going to take a huge bite out of...incidents,” Cain said.
The bill will be voted on in the fall session of Parliament.
Cain thanked the speakers and contractors for attending the breakfast.
“It means so much to us,” she said.
