Liftruck Training Institute Of Canada

We've expanding our courses to include Vehicle Mounted Aerial Lifts. This covers lifts like Bucket Trucks commonly used by Utility companies, Van mounted lifts typically used by electrician companies, or Flat-deck mounts that sign companies use.

Are you watching where you are going? Slips and trips are common in the workplace. Sometimes it is just because we are just not aware of what is around us. OH&S require us to do what we can to eliminate the things that could cause us or anyone else in our workplace to slip or trip and fall.

I have another concern and that is in respect to machine operation. Easily the most common fault I see when evaluating operators of equipment is that they do not look in the direction of their intended movement before they start moving. Typically it is because they become to fixed on their load. Now don't get me wrong, proper handling of loads is very important but when you make it a priority over someone's life, then I'm sorry but your priorities are all messed up.

It takes about 1 second to take a really good look behind you before you start to move. A casual glance over one shoulder just does not cut it. You need to take a purposeful look over both shoulders. LOOK First; Move Second. I will go so far as to say even if you are working alone force yourself to look before moving. It is just a safe procedure and a best practices habit to get into.

Winter! We've had a few months to prepare. We know what is coming: Cold, snow and ice. I always marvel at the amount of collisions in everyday traffic once the snow falls. Anyone and everyone who has driven in winter know what it can do to the roads. Why don't people adapt? The hazards are obvious.

The same might be asked about workplace incidents. We know what the hazards are. At least we are supposed to know and we are also supposed to know how to protect ourselves from them. The unfortunate reality though is that people start to take things for granted. They become complacent about the hazards around them or about situational hazards because they have dealt with them before and never got hurt. Some people just become over confident as a result. It is like the guy with the winter tires and 4-wheel drive who believes he is in complete control no matter the circumstances or the road conditions.

The reality of winter is that more people get hurt during this time of year regardless of the preparations made. So, be smart and be careful and give yourself the best chance to enjoy, "the Most Wonderful Time of the Year..."

Sometimes the question is posed to us "Are your courses recognized by Occupational Health and Safety?"

To be quite honest that is not the function of OH&S however they regulate the industries that we train in and so our courses are designed to meet the requirement of all governing bodies. Our programs meet the requirements of the following:

Canada Labour Code, Alberta's Occupational Health and Safety, Canadian Standards Association, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, American National Standards Institute, Oilsands Safety Association training matrix, Manufacturer requirements and Industry Expected Practices.

Have You ever Fallen at work? Did you slip on something or trip over something, or fallen off a raised surface or ladder? Falls typically happen faster that we can react to prevent the fall, otherwise we would never actually fall!

Now if you are a reasonable and practical person you would want to make sure you didn't slip or trip. So, look around and look out for those things because not only are you protecting yourself you are also protecting your co-workers. OH&S require this from us as well.

If you are up off the ground more than 4 feet you can be seriously hurt in a fall. Ladders are a prime source and are the cause of most fall claims and falls from permanent ladders cause most fall fatalities. Always try to work with somebody when using portable ladders and always work within arms reach while on them.

Well we are in the Dog Days of summer. Many people are taking holidays. They plan and prepare and look forward to the time they will have with family and friends. Family and friends are a very important part of our lives and one of the main reasons we need to take safety seriously at work. Remember that if we take a risk at work it is more than just us that gets affected by a negative outcome.

Enjoy your holidays.