50 Years of Proud Service

“Experience is just as important as training when it comes to safety. Attending a training class, with an instructor who has been in that industry and used the equipment and having all the knowledge from the manufacturers they represent behind them, provides a more detailed, well rounded, and believable training experience which will keep everyone safer.” Wihlidal explains.

Recently we had a change of guard in our SSM location, seeing Kevin Kelly, a long-time safety trainer retire, and Colten Tourigny take over the role. It’s wonderful seeing a new generation step up to the plate and understand the importance of safety within every work setting. Tourigny is no rookie though, he has been teaching safety for years and has already expanded some course offerings at our SSM location.

The Value of Keeping People Safe Through Safety training

Bringing things full circle is our Safety Training Division. What started as a need to have our own staff trained to work safely, became an opportunity that we have replicated throughout Northern Ontario. With 3 locations providing safety training, we have the North covered. Students have the option for in-house training at one of our facilities or to have our Safety Trainer provide training on the customers’ site.

Although many companies have gone to online training, we firmly believe there is no better experience than a hands-on approach. This allows both the instructor and student to be fully engaged in the course, resulting in more knowledge and confidence when entering the work environment. Blair Wihlidal, certified safety trainer in Thunder Bay, has been with Equipment World for 27 years. After receiving his BSc from Lakehead University (Physics Major), Blair joined the TEAM in the warehouse “learning the ropes ”. He then progressed to inside sales/rentals, tech, and service writer. Training has been a part of Blair’s job title for approximately 20 years but started out as only a part time need. Every year, that need grew until finally it became a fulltime job over the past 10 years.

Mike Kapanen has been with their Sudbury location since 2011. “Knowledge is the power to doing things the right way safely ”. How can we assure ourselves we are doing it in a safe manner if we don’t have the proper training behind us? The importance of good training will help workers to develop and maintain effective hazard control activities; it is a proven and successful method of intervention.

Complaisant workers are a huge factor when it comes to equipment incidents. Kapanen adds “It is their responsibility to make certain not to hurt themselves or anyone in the process of getting the job done. Kapanen says “Last year at the Sudbury branch I trained over 1000 people; it’s a great feeling to know that I’m doing my part to help these people work safer at their place of employment.” When it comes to safety, Kapanen sums it up this way “If you’re not Learning, you’re not Living.

In Thunder Bay, the demand for training was so high Equipment World had to seek out more talent to meet the demand. We were fortunate enough to find the perfect fit in Jordan Roos, a long-time Safety Trainer, who wanted to return home to Thunder Bay from a Southern Ontario rental house. He brings a lot to the TEAM, including warehouse organization, safety, and construction knowledge.

All 3 location provide forklift, skid-steer, aerial work platform, and working at heights training. Specialized training courses such as chainsaw training are available at select locations.