Hard Hat - Summer 2011

Uniting ARCCAW members across Alberta

and the Northwest Territories

Summer 2011

Innovation helps EllisDon secure major projects across the province A Better Back

Tips and stretches to help prevent injury

RSAP 101

Everything you need to know about the program

Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #40063788 Return undeliverable mail to 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton,AB T5V 0A3

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Executive Secretary Treasurer’s

REPORT

Working Towards Equality Martyn A. Piper

H

ow times change. It was not that many years ago that men went to work to bring home a paycheque and women largely stayed at home, kept house and looked after the kids. I guess that was my era. There have been times when women did work outside the home, such as during the war when there was a shortage of labour. In these instances, it has often been in hard labour intensive jobs and in humiliating and adverse conditions.

The war years involved women in greater numbers participating in the workforce. During that time women made up significant parts of factory workforces building arms and munitions to support the war effort, but when men returned from the war women were returned to “the home.” It also wasn’t that many years ago that suffragettes took to the streets in campaigns for women’s right to vote.

Fast forward to the 21st century and while the working environment for women has changed somewhat for the better, there is still much to be done.

Women are fighting for seats in the corporate boardroom, women are challenged with employment and pay equity, women of colour, women who have recently immigrated and aboriginal women (just to name a few) face numer-

4

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

ous and varied challenges in addition to those related to gender. In manufacturing and construction industries, women face daily challenges and are often confronted with sexist “pin-ups,” sexual innuendo, jokes, ridiculing, labelling and other activities or words that have a demeaning and discriminatory effect.

Much has been attempted over the last number of years to recruit more women into what are called “non-traditional” occupations – construction being one of them. Efforts have been met with varying degrees of success. However, if we as an industry want to encourage women to enter these workplaces, then we need to eliminate barriers related to gender, ensure that women are accepted and treated as equals, and that the workplace is welcoming and safe.

It is because of the women in the workplace to whom I speak that I am pleased to announce a first for Canada in terms of a construction trades union. I am pleased to announce the Regional Council is having a two-day women’s conference on October 29 and 30, 2011, in Edmonton. Registration details are online and will be mailed out to every woman member. There are also registration forms in this edition of Hard Hat. It is our intent to bring 150 of our Sisters together for a weekend of information and education. We hope this will be a first step in empowering our women members to play a greater role in the life of our union, provide them with the tools to deal with difficult situations, the confidence to stand up for their rights on the job site, in their communities, at home and throughout their daily lives. I want to thank the hard work of the Alberta Regional Council’s Women’s Committee who will be featured further in an upcoming issue of Hard Hat. This project is yet another in moving the Regional Council forward in a productive, contemporary and progressive way in order to better serve all of its members.

Undeliverable mail should be directed to ARCCAW 200-15210 123 Ave Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3 Email: lhelmeczi@albertacarpenters.com Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement # 40063788

Contents

PUbLIShEd FoR:

Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers 15210 – 123 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5V 0A3 Tel: (780) 474-8599 / Fax: (780) 474-8910 www.albertacarpenters.com PUbLIShEd by:

Venture Publishing Inc. 10259 – 105 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5J 1E3 Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276 Phone: (780) 990-0839 Fax: (780) 425-4921 www.venturepublishing.ca

Ruth Kelly

ASSoCIATE PUbLIShER

Joyce Byrne

Martyn A. Piper EdIToR

Kim Tannas ART dIRECToR

Charles Burke

ASSISTANT ART dIRECToR

Colin Spence

PRodUCTIoN MANAGER

Vanlee Robblee

PRodUCTIoN CooRdINAToR

Betty-Lou Smith

CoNTRIbUTING WRITERS

Annalise Klingbeil, Tricia Radison, Robin Schroffel, Cait Wills CoNTRIbUTING PhoToGRAPhERS ANd ILLUSTRAToRS 3TEN, Buffy Goodman, Joey Podlubny, Chris Tait VICE-PRESIdENT, SALES

Anita McGillis

AdVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

Leah Mawer

SALES ASSISTANT

EllisDon’s innovative approach helps it secure projects across the province

By Tricia Radison

19 Rapid Access

Everything you ever wanted to know about the RSAP program

By Annalise Klingbeil

20 fit@work

Got back pain? Try these stretches

By Kim Tannas

20

22 Pride in Performance

Celebrating record safety achievement at Imperial Oil’s Strathcona refinery

By Cait Wills

Millwrights’ training course provides value for TAMSIL employees

DEPARTMENTS

4

Note From the Executive Secretary Treasurer

By Martyn Piper

6

Site Lines

Honouring long service; Upcoming women’s conference; Try-A-Trade; Q&A with the new union education coordinator

10 Geared Up

22

7

Tools to help you work better

25 Local 1460 Millwrights Report

By Bob Hugh

26 Training & Apprenticeship Report

Julia Ehli

Contents © 2011 by ARCCAW Inc. No part of this publication should be reproduced without written permission.

Important Phone Numbers

Edmonton

Fort McMurray

Calgary

Carpenters Training Centre

Carpenters Health and Welfare

Carpenters Pension

Industrial Workers

Millwright Local 1460 Local Union 1325 and 2103 Dispatch

24 Total Alignment

ARCCAW EdIToR

Summer 11

12 Creative Construction

PUbLIShER

FEATURES

780-471-3200 780-743-1442 403-283-0747 780-455-6532 780-477-9131 780-477-9131 403-283-0747 780-430-1460 1-888-944-0818

By Len Bryden

27 KidZone

How many workers does it take to build a house?

28 Parting Shot 29 Training & Events; In Memoriam

oN ThE CoVER: Calgary South Health Campus, Photo: Joey Podlubny hARdhAT SUMMER 2011 5

Site Lines

News in Brief

A roundup of news and events from around the region

BY ANNALISE KLINGBEIL

Students Try-A-Trade For the second year in a row Alberta Carpenters participated in the Skills Canada Try-A-Trade event. The two-day event took place May 11-12 at Edmonton’s Expo Centre and saw a total of 1,500 high school students learn about different trades, including carpentry.

Alberta Carpenters had a 30-foot long booth set up, with safety equipment, scroll saws and patterns, so students could get a taste of the trade. “We guided them through cutting the shapes out and then took them over to a spindle sander and they sanded them if they wanted and the drill press to drill holes if they wanted,” says Greg Smith, an instructor. “It gives the young person a chance to do a little tiny project and it hopefully will give them a kick-start to asking more questions about ‘What is it like to work with wood?’ or ‘What is it like to be a carpenter?’ or ‘What is it like to use a power tool?,’” says Len Bryden, director of training and apprenticeship.

“It’s a real full sensory experience,” says Chris Browton, executive director at Skills Canada, Alberta. “If you think about anything that creates a memory and makes impact, it’s all about the experience.” Browton says Try-A-Trade is the perfect way for students to test drive different occupations, talk with people in the business that are passionate about what they do and learn what each particular trade is truly about. “I dare say when a lot of the school kids come through our event, they had it in their mind what a this or a that was going to be like, and they come away with quite a different view and a greater appreciation for the skill set required,” says Browton.

Bryden says the purpose of the Try-A-Trade event is to promote and expose high school students to a possible future in the trades. “We’re trying to get people more interested in the trades because it gives you a good living. It can be satisfying work and the good thing about it is when you’re doing an apprenticeship, you’re getting paid as you are being trained,” says Wilf Pipke, an instructor. Bryden says events like Try-A-Trade show young people that carpentry is a viable career option. “You can join the carpenters union and we’ll help you with your apprenticeship, and we’ll try to get you through it and show you how to have a good career,” says Bryden.

A lot of man hours and hard work went into putting on the carpenter’s booth, including help from both Pipke and Smith, the regional council staff and instructor Mathew McLeod.

Guess the Tool Can you guess the name of this antique tool?

(Answer on page 8) 6

HARDHAT

SUMMER 2011

Carpenters-to-Be Compete Sixteen high school students from Edmonton and area participated in the Skills Canada regional competition on April 9. Chris Browton, executive director at Skills Canada, Alberta says the regional competition goes a long way in validating that a particular trade is what a student wants to continue to pursue. “It’s designed for some young person that has these competencies, has this passion, has this interest, has this aptitude to come and test themselves against their peer group,” says Browton.

Long Service Members Honoured

HONOURED MEMBER: (left to right) UBC Canadian vice-president James Smith, 1325 member Ron MacIntyre and Local 1325 president Greg Budd. Ron is receiving his pin for 60 years of membership United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America,Local Union 1325 Long Service Awards Recipients for Years 2009 and 2010; Presentation 2011 60 Years of Service Robert Graham, Ronald MacIntyre, Ronald Wilson 55 Years of Service Maurice DeBlois 50 Years of Service Lee Chinn, Gerard Dussault, Norbert Franke, David Haly, Walter Maslanko, Nicholas Pacholuk 45 Years of Service Douglas Alderton, Joseph Belas, George Brietzke, Gary Cooper, Erich Deimling, Rudolph Elliott, Joseph Haas, Miguel Lopes, Valmond Mailloux, Herman Martell, Joe Pretto, Gerhard Stellmach, Huibert Vanderwerf, Edward Waywood 40 Years of Service Garry Bailey, Donald Calahoo, Richard Chambers, Clement Champagne, Dennis Chichak, Edward Chudy, Robert Comer, Ernesto Dasilva, Randy Dwernychuk, Norman Gilbert, Fred Klein, August Kolb, Edward Kublik, James Lavender, Donald MacKay, Karl Mader, Derek Maginn, Roar Olsen, Frederick Persiel, Mike Semchuk, John Seniuk, Mike Vlahovic 35 Years of Service Diogo Afonso, Antonio Azevedo, Jose Baeta, Antonio Barbosa, Joao Barreiro, Colum Barry, Kris Bissoon, Gordon Block, Ignazio Borrelli, John Buckley, Brian Butcher, Dennis Chiasson, Joao Coelho, Trevor Cripps, Marko Culo, Manuel Domingues, Otto Eichmann, Ronny Eliuk, Manuel Esteves, Maurice Filax, James Forjan, Alfred Gagnon, Al Gardiner, Christian George, Dennis Gudmundson, Ewald Hert, Daniel Holowaty, Milan Jojic, Walter Kuehnel, William Lambertus, Bryne MacArthur, James Matthews, James McCarthy, Fredrick McDonald, Donald Melnychuk, Richard Miller, Larry Mitchell, Pierre Morin, Adao Neves, George Pekarchik, Manuel Reis, Edwin Rembowski, James Rockwood, Leo

Local 1325 members attended the biennial pin presentation that honoured members with long service on April 16. “Every second year we do a dinner and dance and we give the long service members a pin,” explains Bob Provencher. Over 250 people attended the festivities, which honoured members who reached 25 to 60 year milestones, at Edmonton’s Crowne Plaza (Chateau Lacombe) Hotel.

“It’s a celebration in the involvement of our trades,” says Provencher. Brother Jim Smith, the Canadian vice-president of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, was the evening’s keynote speaker. “The point of the evening is to be able to talk to the men and women that you’ve worked with over the years, that you may have lost touch with,” Provencher says.

Members attended the evening with family and friends, and a sense of pride was evident. “You tell a few stories and have a few laughs and recognize that these people have been there a long time,” Provencher says. “Their labour, their skills and their kinship have contributed to the building of this province and to the building of our union. The line most heard throughout the evening is ‘You know we built that.’”

Rybchinski, R (Wayne) Schneider, Allan Seiersen, Elmer Shupenia, Frederick Skanes, Joel Soroka, Werner Steiner, Charles Tomlinson, Maurice Vallee, Albert Vlodder, Jake Waldner, Ernst Wolf 30 Years of Service Merne Arsenault, Rodrigue Belzile, Wayne Bender, Ross Blackwell, George Bondarewicz, Taras Boychuk, Eric Burchill, Jeff Cantelon, Michael Christie, Alaattin (Alex) Ciplak, Cole Coon, Gary Cooper, Daryll Crouter, Wilfred Deschamps, Gerry Desilets, Nikola Dragicevic, Manuel Duarte, Kenneth Eliuk, Albert Erickson, Manuel Esteves, Randy Farnsworth, Stephen Foran, Elton Galavan, Romeo Gauthier, Sucha Gill, Craig Gordon, Thomas Graham, Normand Hachey, Shaun Harley, Melhem Haymour, Richard Hryciuk, Kenneth Jacques, Dale Jones, Roderick Jones, Wilbert Kelley, Martin Kenny, Mike Key, Jevto Kujundzic, Brian Lambertus, Victor Lampinen, Rejean Lebouthillier, Kerry Lowry, Bill (Donald) MacKenzie, Wayne Miller, Allan Minaker, Ilija Miok, Leonard Misener, William Murrin, Don Neary, Luis Neves, Maurice Oliver, Craig Parsons, Robert Pedersen, Harold Pekarchik, Joaquim Peniche, Dave Petten, Elmer Pruss, Raimonds Reijeris, Craig Robinson, Antonio Rodas, Clayton Sauve, Albert Savoie, Doug Sawchuk, Alfred Schilke, David Simms, Carl Smith, Brian Spurrell, James Stephens, Aaron Stewart, Darcy Superkoski, Barry Tabbert, Wayne Thorwaldson, Fraser Todd, Rod Tsuida, Glenn Tucker, Zbigniew Urban, Johan VanSanten, Gary Walsh, Grant Welda, Michael Wheeler, Richard White, Eugene Williams, Danny Zajac 25 Years of Service Perry Asham, Alfredo Azevedo, Stanley Boudreau, Ermidio Buset, Daniel Butt, Emery Caissie, George Demelo, Alvin Doerksen, Daniel Doiron, Yves Doiron, Douglas Ellis, Harvey Falls, Terence Favell, David Frigault, Joseph Gennaro, Douglas Humm, Terry James, Gregory Jessome, David Johnstone, Edmond Landry, Kjeld Mikkelsen, Graham Norman, John Paquet, Barry Petten, Emile Preteau, Edward Routley, Joseph Terrio, Marcel Thornhill, David Todd, Vincent Warken, Charles Wood, Paul Young

For details on the upcoming 1325 Picnic, ACAW Trust Funds information meetings and training sessions, turn to page 29.

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

7

Site Lines

News in Brief

Women Unite

Giving Back Q&A with Chester Fergusson

When Chester Fergusson joined the carpenters union more than 20 years ago, he was living in his half-ton truck. “My home, what my family gets to enjoy today and the lifestyle I get to have is directly related to what the union has given me,” says Fergusson, who since joining the union has worked as a journeyman scaffolder, journeyman carpenter, a business agent and an instructor. Fergusson recently took on the position of union education coordinator and approaches his job with a desire to give back to a union that has given him so much.

Q: What is a typical day like as union education coordinator?

A: A typical day is on the phone and looking at applications. [I’m on the phone with] members that call and say they’d like to join. I’m educating them on the union and what it is to be a union member and the fact that we don’t necessarily have jobs for them. This is a brotherhood where we stand together and so they have access to work, but I don’t want them to come here thinking that they are guaranteed a job.

Q: What’s your favourite part of your current position?

A: Meeting new people and educating the people on the union. I live and breathe the union.

Q: Does that come from what the union has done for you?

A: Yes. One of the things I want to do in this role is put together a film for new members to see what the union has to offer. I have one nephew that had been going through some tough times, and he told me that the union saved his life, that the opportunity that it’s given to him and the wages he makes have

A roundup of news and events from around the region

saved his life and turned him around.

Q: What is the hardest part of your current position?

A: Time. Lack of time. There are only so many hours in the day.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I treasure my spare time because I have a three-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter and she is my life. I spoil her rotten. She has me wrapped around her little finger and I think she knows that. My wife and I like to dance and we like to have people over for barbecues. I take karate as an energy release. I used to coach a lot but I find I don’t have time.

When I was younger, somebody once said to me, “If you were to die today, would you be happy with what you’ve done?

Would you be able to go to your grave knowing that you did what you could do?

Would you be able to look back and be proud about what you’ve done?” There was a period of time when I was a young kid that I wouldn’t be able to say ‘yup, I’m proud of it’... Now at my age, at 54 ... I think the good I’ve done outweighs some of the stupid stuff I’ve done.

Crystal Bowen was one of eight Alberta women who attend the 10th annual Women Building California conference in Oakland, California, at the end of April. For the first time, the National Building and Construction trades department co-sponsored the annual event and in turn, it was also known as the 1st Women Building the Nation Conference.

Bowen, an apprentice, says the event was both inspirational and empowering. “The highlight of it was meeting women that worked as tradespeople during World War II,” says Bowen. “They were in their 80s and 90s and just the cutest women. To know that they were welders and built all these big ships, that was pretty neat.”

The two-day conference saw over 600 women attend sessions with topics that varied from safety to child-care issues, public speaking and community involvement. Bowen is oftentimes the minority on a work site and said being surrounded by women was incredible. “I came back with a renewed vigour to push forward,” she says.

Answer to “Guess the Tool” This is a cabinet maker’s wood infill plane

(From Page 6) 8

HARDHAT

SUMMER 2011

Apprentices Visit Vegas Las Vegas is not only home to hotels, casinos and shopping centres. It’s also home to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters International Training Centre. In April, George Wilson, business representative with the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters, accompanied 12 third-year apprentices on a trip to the Las Vegas training centre.

Wilson says the 11 brothers and one sister enjoyed three days of training and union education, and despite 7:30 a.m. session start times, the apprentices did manage to squeeze in some time on the Las Vegas strip. “It was a super good group and they got involved and participated and were mixed in with apprentices from all across Canada,” says Wilson.

Over 130 apprentices from across North America attended the conference and enjoyed educational sessions and a tour of the 345,000square-foot International Training Centre facility. “The intent is to capture third years because they’re the future of the organization,” says Wilson.

Retirees’ Social The Sixth Annual Millwrights Retirees’ Social was held on June 7, 2011, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Hall in Sherwood Park. Once again we were honoured to have two charter members attend, Bill Bilida and Herb Huber. The social was attended by over 60 guests, including members and former members along with their spouses. Special thanks to Guy and Pat Dunand for organizing such a successful event.

Stand Up! Be Heard!

The Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers is planning a women’s conference for October 29-30 in Edmonton.

Brandi Thorne, one of the organizing members, says the theme of the two-day conference is “Stand Up! Be Heard!” Thorne says she’s estimating 150 women will attend the conference and hear guest speakers discuss a variety of topics centred on the theme.

“Our focus is going to be union participation and how our voice and our involvement gets us where we need to be as well as professional development skills for women and women’s health and safety issues,” says Crystal Bowen, who is also involved in planning the conference.

Both Thorne and Bowen attended the Women Building the Nation Conference in California and say having conferences where women can be surrounded by other women is important. Bowen says there is security in knowing there are other women in the trades and being able to network with them. Thorne says as an organization, ARCCAW values diversity. “However, with diversity, unique challenges are presented,” says Thorne. “It is important to address and meet these challenges. The women of this union are taking responsibility and ownership for creative and equitable solutions for challenges presented to them.”

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Geared Up Tools to help you work better FINE FINISH Bostitch has introduced a new 15 Gauge Finish Nailer (N62FNK-2) that promises to be a game-changer for trim carpenters. The new model is designed for applications such as the installation of molding, door/window casings, trim, hardwood flooring, furniture, solid hardwood flooring, and advanced woodworking.

One of the tool’s innovative features is the addition of the world’s first rear exhaust on a 15-gauge nailer.

Located at the end of the handle, it directs air away from the user and eliminates blowback. “The innovation doesn’t stop there,” says product manager Clyde Arceneaux. “It also provides an onboard dust blower for clearing the work surface from dust and debris without slowing down.” A third breakthrough feature is the addition of an integrated LED work light, which lights up the work surface for precise fastener placement in low-light situations. Weighing only 4.15 pounds, it has a storage capacity of 128 nails, the highest magazine capacity in its class.

The N62FNK-2 finish nailer kit includes the basic tool; plastic carrying case; 1,000 FN-style 2˝ angled finish nails; swivel fitting; hex wrench; set of four profile tips; and operator’s manual. Available at construction supply stores, hardware stores and online retailers, it retails for approximately $219. www.bostitch.com

COMPACT CUTTER This spring, Bessey introduced a more compact version of its aviation snip. The D15A Compact Aviation Snip has all the power of a full size aviation snip but, at 25 per cent smaller than the standard size, it’s more manoeuvrable to get into even the most cramped spaces.

The D15 snip comes in left, right and straight versions and has drop forged cutting heads with a European engineered shape. The left and right versions have distinctive angles that create a flowthrough cutting head design. “This allows sheet metal, once cut, to move along the cutting head and beneath the hand. As a result, the D15 snip permits longer continuous cuts and, provides greater productivity with fewer injuries,” says the company. The locking mechanism allows for opening and closing with one hand and limits the maximum opening of the snip. The snip retails for approximately $13-15. www.besseytools.com 10

HARDHAT

SUMMER 2011

STAND AND DELIVER DeWalt recently announced the launch of four new miter saw stands, each featuring screw-attached, non-marring polymer feet that are secure and won’t mark flooring surfaces, in addition to leg lock levers for easy setup and breakdown. “Our new miter saw stands are lightweight and easy to transport, but they are durable enough to withstand professional job site conditions,” says Bryan Shinn, brand category manager for Dewalt.

If portability is a priority, try out the Compact Miter Saw Stand (DWX724). It weighs only 30 pounds and measures less than four feet long when folded, making it easy to fit sideways in a truck bed for transport. The stand also features 29-inch extensions taking it up to 100 inches wide and allowing it to easily support up to 10 feet of material.

The DWX724 is available through independent distributors for approximately $199. www.dewalt.com

Stand Up! Be Heard!

2011 ARCCAW Women’s Conference

REGISTRATION FORM

MESSAGE FROM THE WOMEN’S COMMITTEE The Alberta Regional Council is hosting its first-ever women’s conference. This event is a big moment in the history of craftswomen within the Alberta Council. But within Canada, it is also a significant moment, as it will be the first of its kind held for Sisters in any Canadian UBC jurisdiction.

Female members of Locals 1325, 2103, 2010 and 1460 are invited to spend a (free!) weekend in Edmonton learning and exploring what it means to be a craftswoman within the ARCCAW. You’ll attend stimulating keynote speeches and provocative workshops, you’ll have plenty of networking opportunities, and engage in discussions on pivotal topics. Our aim is to give you a weekend that will leave you feeling empowered to be active and productive union members.

This will be a weekend during which you’ll discover that your voice is important and effective. And the active, eager support of our conference by both Alberta and Canadian UBC union leadership will guarantee that your union will hear what you have to say! This will all happen during Canada’s National Women’s History Month – we intend to make our own history in Alberta!

REGISTRATION DETAILS

ACTIVITIES

TOPICS

• Accommodations will be provided for and hotel reservations made by ARCCAW • Travel will be arranged or expenses paid for those members coming a distance to Edmonton • Registrants will be contacted to make arrangements • Registrants for whom accommodations are provided will receive complimentary hotel breakfasts • Saturday: snacks, lunch & dinner provided • Sunday: brunch & snacks provided • Food allergies & requirements can be accommodated

Workshops Panel Discussions Networking Reception Dynamic Speakers Information Booth Women’s History Month Celebration

History is Herstory Too Women’s Health & Safety Professional Development Gaining Support & Momentum

CONFERENCE DATE: OCTOBER 29-30, 2011 REGISTRATION DEADLINE: AUGUST 31, 2011

HURRY! Quick registration is strongly encouraged since resources are limited to 150 participants.

Final deadline: August 31, 2011 Please send registrations to: 2011 Women’s Conference Alberta c/o Regional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers 200, 15210 - 123 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T5V OA3 Fax: (780) 474-8910 OR Register online: www.albertacarpenters.com/ registration

NAME: ADDRESS: CITY:

PROVINCE:

POSTAL CODE:

PHONE:

EMAIL: (OPTIONAL) T-SHIRT SIZE: (Women’s Sizes) UBC NUMBER:

S

M

# YEARS MEMBER:

Please register me to attend Please provide accommodations Friday, October 28, 2011 Saturday, October 29, 2011 I will make my own accommodation arrangements Please provide travel to/from Edmonton

L

XL

LOCAL:

I have food allergies / conditions that need arrangements I am interested in volunteering for the conference All questions should be sent to Martyn Piper at mpiper@albertacarpenters.com.

CHATEAU LOUIS HOTEL • EDMONTON, ALBERTA • OCTOBER 29-30, 2011

Company PROFILE

CRANE POWER: EllisDon is managing construction of the $1-billion South Health Campus in Calgary, with Phase 1 expected to be completed in March 2012.

The tower cranes in operation are the largest ones in North America.

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Creative CONSTRUCTION Innovative approaches, good people and strong relationships define EllisDon’s approach

By TRICIA RADISON

I

f there is one word that defines EllisDon, an international contractor headquartered in Toronto but with deep roots in Alberta, it’s innovation. The company has made a name for itself in a highly competitive industry, securing major projects across the province, and particularly in Calgary, by being willing to look for and develop new and more effective ways of getting the job done.

Take Eighth Avenue Place, a 49-storey office tower EllisDon recently completed in downtown Calgary. To build it on schedule, EllisDon placed the cranes outside the footprint of the building instead of inside, as is more common. “If you’ve got the mast of the crane sticking down 20 floors, you can’t finish those 20 floors until you pull the thing out,” explains Vince Davoli, senior vice-president, Western Canada, from his office in Calgary.

So EllisDon brought in three luffer cranes from Italy, giants that were freestanding from the ground up. The company’s engineers then designed the biggest steel ties ever used in North America, about one metre in diameter, to tie the cranes to the building at every 10th floor. With no interference from the cranes, the project was successfully completed on schedule.

“We look at how to build something right the first time,” says Davoli.

“We’re very innovative, creative, we’re very flexible in our approaches and we will look at anything. We’ll tear things apart to make it work. Whatever the owner wants, we’ll try to make it work.”

Doing things differently has been key to the company’s success since brothers Don and Ellis Smith founded EllisDon in 1951. Born in Provost, Alberta, the brothers grew up in Edmonton but moved to Ontario where they started the contracting business. In 1956, they made the decision to become the first Canadian company to own and operate tower cranes in order to better serve customers.

Don Smith purchased the company from his brother and first entered the Alberta market in the 1960s. The work wasn’t flowing so EllisDon left, reentering the province in the ’70s. This time, the company was here to stay.

Many of its earliest projects were notable. The original Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, built for the 1978 Commonwealth Games, the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Edmonton, and the Standard Life tower in Calgary are a few examples. EllisDon also constructed a number of buildings at the University of Calgary in those early years, as well as undertaking infraHARDHAT SUMMER 2011

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Company PROFILE structure projects like sewage and water plants in Edmonton.

Growth followed. “When I came here full time in 1983, we had in Calgary maybe 35 salaried staff,” remembers Davoli. “At our peak two years ago, we had 190. Today we’re at 170.” Annual build volumes grew from an estimated $20 million in 1983 to a record high approaching $900 million in 2009.

Although EllisDon takes pride in doing what Davoli calls “a little bit of everything,” it has made its mark in the institutional and commercial sectors. The company is a specialist in hospital construction and has completed several, including the Richmond Road Diagnostic Treatment Centre, the McCaig Tower at the Foothills Medical Centre, and the Alberta Children’s Hospital, all of which are in Calgary. Today it is working on Calgary’s South Health Campus, a $1-billion project.

At the University of Calgary, EllisDon constructed the Calgary Centre of Innovative Technology and the Information and Communication Technologies building. It is currently the contractor for the $140-million Energy Environment Experiential Learning building, the $150-million expansion of the Schulich School of Engineering building and the $100million Science A Building expansion. Commercial projects in the city centre include Livingston Place, Jamieson Place, Bankers Court and the Calgary Board of Education tower.

Asked what differentiates EllisDon, Davoli pinpoints a thirst for excellence, good people, and strong relationships with subtrades. The relationship EllisDon has with the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW) is important.

“We look to them to provide us with experienced and efficient people who are up to date with current practices and safety-minded,” says Davoli.

“Especially in today’s environment, with how safety-conscious it is, you really need to make sure that you’ve got some safe workers.”

Mike Cooper, ARCCAW business representative, knows how much EllisDon values trained workers and points out that the union’s three training facilities in the province are designed to make sure contractors get the skilled labour they require to perform quality work. The union even offers members training that mirrors the in-house training EllisDon offers its own people.

“They’re extremely happy about that. They see where their dollars are going within the training fund,” says Cooper, adding that EllisDon is also solidly behind apprenticeship.

But a lack of trained labour is a challenge Davoli says the entire industry is going to face again, probably sooner rather than later. He sees major companies snapping up engineers, a sure sign that things are starting to pick up. With the boomers retiring and some specialized labour lost during the recent slowdown, he’s concerned about the future labour situation but says that EllisDon still plans to enter new markets, such as civil construction, and expand its presence in heavy industrial construction.

In the meantime, EllisDon has begun work on the $1.3-billion international terminal at the Calgary airport. It’s an exciting project that comes with unique challenges.

“When you’re at an airport, you don’t have one or two or three clients to worry about; you’ve got several thousand,” says Davoli. Passengers, the public, the airlines, and everyone else involved have to be kept in mind and kept up to date on what’s happening. “It’s a huge co-ordination effort,” Davoli explains.

A number of institutional and commercial projects are also in the pipeline. The strong relationship EllisDon has with the union will contribute to the contractor’s ability to effectively manage the coming workload.

Cooper says there is strong communication between the union and EllisDon. He stays in contact with supervisors, asking them to let him 14

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TOWERING ACHIEVEMENTS: Calgary’s Eighth Avenue Place (top left), Jamieson Place and McCaig Tower

know of issues early on so he can deal with them proactively. That communication is important to the company; Davoli says EllisDon cherishes its relationship with the union and believes that by communicating and working together, both will be successful.

ELLISDON FACTS • EllisDon was the first Canadian construction company to establish its own engineering, research and development and quality assurance department • Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers in 2010 and 2011 and one of the Best Employers in Canada for 10 years running • Employee-owned • Approximately 1,000 employees worldwide • Has offices in North America, the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates • Completes more than $2 billion in new construction annually • Named one of Canada’s greenest companies in 2011 for the second straight year thanks to a corporate culture that embraces environmental sustainability

Carpenters Local 1325 Bursary Trust Fund Application Year 2011 Edmonton Office #133, 15210-123 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3 Ph: (780) 733-2160 Fax: (780) 477-7143

Fort McMurray Office Bay 6, 266 MacKay Cres.

Fort McMurray, AB T9H 5C6 Ph: (780) 743-1442

HISTORY Have you received a Bursary Award from Local 1325 Bursary Trust Fund previously? ____________ If yes, please state date: _________________________ DEPENDENT INFORMATION

*Include copy of Birth Certificate

Name: _____________________________________________________ SIN #_______________________________ Address: _________________________________ City: ________________________________________________ Province: ____________________ Postal Code: __________________ Ph: _________________________________ Applicant’s relationship to member: ___________________ Date of Birth ____________________________________ Month Day Year HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION School of Graduation: ____________________________ Address: __________________________________ City: ______________________ Postal Code:_____________ Graduation Date: ______________________ Grade 12 Diploma YES/NO: __________

*Please include transcript

POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTION INFORMATION Institution Name: ______________________________ Address: ____________________________________ City: _______________________ Province: ____________________ Postal Code: __________________ Institution/Registrar Phone: ____________________ Course of Study applied for: ______________________ Commencement date: ___________________ Date of acceptance: ________________________ Length of Course of Study: _________________ Post-secondary: Years completed to date: ________________

MEMBER’S INFORMATION Name: _______________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ City: ________________ Province: ___________________ Postal Code: ________________________ Phone: ______________________ Member UBC#_____________________________________________

* Additional information may be attached * Terms contained in application are defined in Schedule A * Inquiries to: Diana Stubbard at (780) 733-2160 HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

15

Carpenters Local 1325 Bursary Trust Fund Waiver Authorization Year 2011

Edmonton Office #133, 15210-123 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5V 0A3 Ph: (780) 733-2160 Fax: (780) 477-7143

Fort McMurray Office Bay 6, 266 MacKay Crescent Fort McMurray, AB T9H 5C6 Ph: (780) 743-1442

APPLICANT WAIVER AUTHORIZATION Applicant hereby authorizes LU 1325 Bursary Trust Fund Administration to: • Release social insurance number to Canada Customs and Revenue Agency • Obtain dependent information from ACAW Health & Welfare Plan • Obtain enrollment and/or attendance information from: Educational Institution: ____________________________________________

Address_________________________ Phone: _________________________ Applicant Name (print clearly): ______________________________________

Applicant Signature: ________________________ Date: _________________

Witness Signature: ________________________ Date: _________________ Information obtained through this waiver shall be used expressly and solely for the purpose of administration of this Bursary application.

Inquiries can be made by contacting Diana Stubbard at (780) 733-2160.

16

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

Carpenters Local 1325 Bursary Trust Fund Year 2011 APPLICATION RULES AND REQUIREMENTS: • Application shall be received at the office of Local 1325 no later than August 31st and must include:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

current name, address and phone number of applicant and member copy of birth certificate of applicant copy of high school transcript name, address and phone number of post-secondary institution and/or registrar verification of the registration acceptance applicant waiver application (must be signed in all cases)

• If supporting documents are not available at the time of application, please call Diana Stubbard at (780) 733-2160 for time extension.

• Timely receipt of application and supporting documents at the offices of Local 1325 is solely the responsibility of the applicant.

75% of “Bursary Fund” income • The formula for award shall be:

(current fiscal year, ending June 30th) number of applicants • Maximum award $1,000.00 • Maximum of two (2) awards • Applications for bursary award must be for a post-secondary program commencing within a twelve (12) month period following August 31st of application year.

• Each bursary payment requires a separate application (birth certificate & high school transcript are not required on 2nd application).

• Bursary awards (dollar amount) shall be declared by Carpenters Local 1325 Treasurer at the September General Meeting.

• Bursary award payment shall be made November 1st in the year of the application or at verification of commencement of course, whichever is later.

• Please refer to Schedule “A”, page 4.

Inquiries can be made by contacting Diana Stubbard at (780) 733-2160.

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17

Carpenters Local 1325 Bursary Trust Fund Year 2011 SCHEDULE “A” DEFINITIONS: APPLICANT: (a) a dependent child, of a member of UBC Local 1325. (b) a person who has not reached their 25th birthday as of August 31 of the year of application.

3 Dependency status is determined by the Bursary Fund Trustees (verification using Alberta Carpenters and Allied Workers Health & Welfare Trust Fund records).

MEMBER shall mean: • A person in good standing of Local 1325 for two (2) consecutive years at August 31 of the application year.

3 Good Standing status shall be verified by UBC Local 1325 Ultra System.

• The mother/father/legal guardian of applicant.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION: • A post-secondary program requiring a high school diploma at a Post-Secondary Educational Institution recognized by “Alberta Learning.”

• A post-secondary program must be a minimum of two (2) years in duration. (Exceptions may be considered for condensed post-secondary programs (requires a written appeal, by the applicant, to the Bursary Trust Fund Committee).

• Only post-secondary programs requiring full-time attendance will be considered.

• Trade school attendance shall not be considered for the purposes of a bursary award.

3 Additional information relevant to your application may be attached.

3 Inquiries to Diana Stubbard at (780) 733-2160.

Robert Provencher Bursary Chair 18

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

Rapid Access RSAP offers workers immediate access to job sites, improved privacy and increased safety

By ANNALISE KLINGBEIL

T

he Rapid Site Access Program (RSAP) is a

voluntary program for Building Trades of Alberta construction and maintenance workers. In exchange for their agreement to be random-tested while at work, they can gain access to participating industrial work sites without pre-access drug and alcohol testing. The Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers recently signed on to the program, and on April 30 a meeting was held for members who had questions or concerns about the RSAP, its viability and their rights and freedoms.

Derrick Schulte, dispatcher for the Alberta Regional Council, says the voluntary program makes the drug and alcohol testing process more efficient. “The Rapid Site Access Program was developed in conjunction with all the building trades unions to allow rapid mobility for members between job sites when leaving the employment from one contractor to another, by not having members retest every time they are out of work.” With RSAP, workers simply take a single urinalysis test, paid for by the program when they sign up.

If they have already taken a pre-access urine test, another one is not required.

Val Rendell, a labour relations representative with Construction Labour Relations who is also in charge of RSAP, says the program was developed to respond to the redundancies and frustrations that exist around site access testing. “We developed a program whereby active status in our database would mean that the worker could get onto a participating site without a site access test, and in exchange for that, the worker would agree to be random-tested for drugs and alcohol while on that participating site,” she says.

The previous process involved pre-access tests that often required members to wait upwards of a week to get tested and get confirmation before starting at a job site. “Sometimes the guys waited nine, 10, 11 days or longer to get their test and the confirmation to go because you had small communities like Grand Prairie, Peace River or Athabasca that may have only one lab looking after all the people,” says Schulte. With RSAP, members can start work immediately, saving them both time and money.

The program was developed by union, contractor and owner stakeholders as part of an overall approach to safety and loss management. Schulte says the program increases on-the-job safety because of its timeframe. “This [random testing] is actually done on

the job site so you’re able to assess if someone may be impaired for actual work rather than a pre-access test that may have been 14 days before he even went to orientation.”

Yvon Seveny, legal counsel for the Alberta Regional Council and all of its locals in Alberta, says from a legal perspective it’s important to remember that RSAP is voluntary. “One of the questions that people had of the union is whether or not random drug and alcohol testing violates human rights laws and the first answer to that is, it’s voluntary.”

Rendell explains that the new program also includes a third-party case manager, Organizational Health Incorporated (OHI), which interacts with unions and contractors on behalf of the program. That means if a member fails a drug and alcohol test, their case management is taken over by OHI. Thus, there is more privacy between the member, the employer and the union.

In addition, the case is managed by experts, rather than employers as it was in the past. The previous process meant that an employee could violate the drug and alcohol policy and then quit their job and go to a new employer, who would have no way of knowing that the employee had a violation. “Anyone that is working towards returning to work safely has the assistance of the expertise at OHI, and in the meantime, unions that have signed up for RSAP have agreed not to dispatch that person to the next job until the third party case manager says that they’re safe,” says Rendell.

Another difference with the random testing through RSAP is the way in which members are tested. “It’s a quicker test and it’s not as intrusive,” says Schulte.

Instead of a urine-based test, RSAP utilizes a mobile lab in which a member’s cheek and gums are swabbed. “RSAP exists to help the members get to the job sites in a reasonable time, to remove some of the indignity that was caused by the process of pre-access testing and the invasion into lifeFAQS ABOUT RSAP styles, and the timeline How do I register? it took guys to get to You can go to www.rsap.ca and click regisjobs,” explains Schulte. ter, or download a form from www.clra.org.

“The program elimiWhen is the testing done? nates some of the waitAll testing is done at work, and on paid time. ing times and it also What are the benefits of signing up? allows the contractors • quick access to participating sites and the owners to mobi• random tests are done with oral swabs lize the manpower they • increased privacy and confidentiality need in a way more • improved job site safety efficient matter.”

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

19

Good posture, regular exercise and proper lifting techniques are key to keeping your back at its best

By KIM TANNAS | Photography by BUFFY GOODMAN

I

t doesn’t matter whether your job involves lifting heavy objects on a regular basis or simply shuffling papers in an office chair, most people at some point in their lives will experience some type of back pain. “It’s estimated that 80 per cent of the general population is reported to have low back pain,” says Matt Smith, certified personal trainer and corrective exercise specialist.

There are many reasons it’s so common, he says. “The big one is muscle imbalances due to poor posture/and or previous injury,” adding that lack of recovery time when lifting, carrying too much weight and awkward positioning, or twisting, while lifting are also major contributors.

Matt Smith, CSEP-CPT, NASM-CES 20

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To prevent back pain, it’s important to exercise regularly – that involves both a balanced stretching and resistance training program – to keep your muscles and joints in harmony.

It’s also important to take adequate breaks while doing repetitive lifting tasks. When your body becomes fatigued and you know you’re pushing yourself too hard, that’s when injuries are more likely to occur.

Using a proper lifting technique and ensuring you’re not lifting more than you can handle are also key. Lifting while twisting is a frequent motion for scaffolders, but avoid it if you can, says Smith, as it’s one of the most common ways to injure your back.

Back pain can be as individualized as the person experiencing it. “It can vary according to the trade you’re in and even be specific to the job you’re doing in that trade,” says Smith.

We’ve provided some general guidelines along with some basic stretching techniques, but a personalized assessment can be extremely helpful, says Smith, who has certification in corrective exercise and can provide a personalized routine to target the specific problem that might be causing your back pain.

Keep in mind it’s important to check with your doctor before starting any type of new exercise routine. Also, if you just recently injured yourself, seek help from a doctor or physiotherapist before attempting any of these exercises.

For any questions or if you would like more information on getting a free movement and postural assessment, please contact Matt Smith by email at matt@smithtrained.com.

He is the manager of ARCCAW’s in-house health centre and is a Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Certified Personal Trainer and National Academy of Sports Medicine Corrective Exercise Specialist.

Lower Back Rotation Begin in a seated position with your legs extended straight out in front of you. Bend your left leg and cross it across your right leg. Keeping your spine straight, place your right elbow on the outside of your left knee and place your left palm on the floor.

Rotate gently around spine until you feel a light stretch in your lower back. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with the other side.

Bridge Lie on your back with your knees bent and hands at your sides. Supporting your body with your palms, press hips upward, squeezing your glutes until you’re in a bridge position. Try to keep your body in a straight line from knees to head. Hold for two seconds, then slowly lower back down.

Repeat 10 times.

Abdominal Crunch Position an exercise ball under your lower back with knees bent at 90 degrees. Place hands by your ears or across your chest and squeeze your abs to lift your shoulder blades off the ball. Hold for two seconds and slowly lower back down. Repeat 10 times. This exercise can also be done without a ball.

Follow the same instructions, squeezing the abs and lifting your shoulder blades off the floor.

Note that you are just crunching the abs together and not trying to sit up off the floor.

Hip Flexor Stretch Kneel down on your right knee with your left knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Place your right arm overhead with the palm facing inward. Then tighten the glutes to help push your hips forward until you feel a stretch in the front of the hip and leg. Reach with your right arm, bending slightly towards your right side. Hold for 30 seconds and repeat with opposite side.

Proper Lifting Technique Keep your feet about shoulder width apart and make sure you have a firm hold on the object.

Bending your knees and keeping your back straight, tighten your abs and use the strength of your leg and hip muscles (not your back) to lift the object, essentially trying to push your hips forward while holding onto the object.

This allows you to lift safely without your back taking all the force and becoming tired, strained or injured. Keep the item balanced and close to your body rather than at the end of your reach.

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

21

PRiDE in Performance Imperial Oil and Steeplejack Services recognized for their remarkable safety achievement at the Strathcona refinery

By CAiT Wills

A

casual attitude towards safety

equals casualty.”

That’s an adage that rings especially true at the Strathcona refinery in Strathcona County. “Imperial Oil’s health and safety goal is zero injuries and illnesses. We strive for an incident-free workplace and a culture that complies with our clear and simple objective: Nobody gets hurt,” says Frank Engli, the refinery’s turnaround manager.

Thanks to that attitude, Imperial Oil’s refinery has received an inaugural award from the Alberta Petro-Chemical Safety Council for their low onsite injury rates. The award officially recognizes them as the Best Performer in 2010 among APCSC members in Class 4, which represents two to five million person-hours by all workers who access the site. The award is based on the lowest “all injury” frequency rate for workers on a site, region or project. All injury includes medical aid, restricted work and lost-time injuries.

As part of the team that contributed to this success, Imperial Oil awarded Steeplejack Services (Contracting) Ltd. with a 2010 Safety Award in recognition of outstanding safety results, and for leadership and commitment to the “Nobody Gets Hurt” philosophy. Steeplejack has gone more than 13 months injury-free on the Imperial Oil Strathcona refinery site.

“Our total recordable and lost-time incident rates continue to be among the best in our industry,” says Engli. “We believe the company’s commitment and performance in the areas of safety, health and environment are closely tied to out-

22

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

standing performance in all other aspects of operations,” he says, explaining that the total recordable incident rate, or TRIR, for 2009 (the most current public numbers to date) was 0.12, “our best ever performance, and a level that is substantially better than industry benchmarks.”

“Safety is our number one value,” says Boyd Barrilleaux, Strathcona refinery manager. “This award recognizes the shared commitment from each of our employees and contractors to embrace that value in everything that they do. At Strathcona, a job is well done only if it’s done safely.”

“The daily concern for managing all risks and preventing incidents has resulted in a deeply ingrained culture of safety and prevention at Imperial Oil,” says Engli. “It’s a culture where employees and contractors constantly look out for themselves as well as their fellow workers. It has created an environment that regularly encourages safety awareness through safety meetings, the use of safety tools, employees mentoring co-workers and contractors, and site-wide safety stand-downs where workers take time to reflect on the importance of safety.”

“The safety tools and programs that we use have been chosen as a result of our experiences in the field,” says Engli. “We plan to continue to expand the development of behaviour-based safety tools and processes, and promote a ‘culture of coaching,’ ” he says, explaining that refinery workers are trained in loss prevention. All safety incidents and near misses are reported and carefully reviewed. As part of the followup investigations, the company and employees look not only at the actual safety events, but also at significant near misses and the potential consequences of what might have happened. “What we learn is incorporated into training, facility designs and procedures for continuous improvement,” he says. “We believe the company’s commitment and performance in the areas of safety, health and the environment are closely tied to outstanding performance in all other aspects of operations.”

Steeplejack is a member of the Brock Group and provides specialty contracting services to a diversified client base within Western Canada. Their 48-year history in the scaffolding business means that, with more than 1,000 employees, safety isn’t a trend; it’s an imperative. “Thirteen months without a single injury is remarkable,” says Mark Lindblad, branch man-

ager at Steeplejack who, until four months ago, was on site at the refinery. journeyman is responsible to his team,” although Lindblad is adamant “For Steeplejack Services to receive this award shows the team was given that “tools for success need to come from the top down… If you don’t an opportunity to focus on safety, which can’t be compromised.” support people for success, how can you expect success?”

Steeplejack’s safety program follows a model of policy and leader“Safety is never compromised. If work can’t be done safely, CPPI ship, planning, implementation, monitoring and measurement, checkmember companies just won’t do it. They take safety seriously and have ing and correcting and management review, which Lindblad says is part an outstanding track record to prove it. The goal is to have no one hurt of the larger scheme of on or off the job,” says safety at Steeplejack.

Peter Boag, president of Some of the tangible the Canadian Petroleum measures Steeplejack Products Institute. “The has implemented at safety record for our the Strathcona refin17 Canadian operating ery include a best pracrefineries is among the tices overview, which is highest for all manufaccompleted not only at turers,” he says, adding the beginning of a conthat CPPI refiners place a – Boyd Barrilleaux, Strathcona refinery manager tractor’s employment, high priority on protectbut also biannually; an ing the health and safety of incentive program, whereby an employee loss prevention submission is employees, contractors and neighbours. Refiner members, says Boag, included in a monthly gas card draw; a daily “re-focus meeting,” where have invested significantly in process safety management for safer each morning’s safety issues – if applicable – are reviewed and corrected; communities and operations based on integrity, confidence and trust. guest speakers at the safety site meetings, and weekly client reporting in The institute reports that, in 2009, total recordable injuries were a “safe acts index,” which is compiled into a database, addressed and subdown 68 per cent since 2005, while lost-time incidents dropped by 77 mitted back to the client on a monthly basis. per cent. The safety record at refineries keeps improving while the These measures are some of the ways Steeplejack continues to drive demand for petroleum products continues to rise, says Boag. Safe safety as a number one priority. But it is the contractors – from the jouroperations are achieved through the constant attention and vigilance neyman down to the greenest apprentice – who live Steeplejack’s philoso- by all employees. There is no substitute for well-trained, experienced phy of “pride in performance,” which Lindblad says is key to success, and professional and technical workers. is based fundamentally on workplace safety.

“I congratulate the Steeplejack Strathcona employees for achieving “From the first-year apprentice to the seasoned journeyman, we want a year of record safety performance,” says Boag. “This excellent safety mentorship. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that the contracrecord is the result of tightly managing all facilities, systems and tor goes home with all their digits, and having learned something, so the processes to prevent accidents.”

“Safety is our number one value. This award recognizes the shared commitment from each of our employees and contractors to embrace that value in everything that they do. At Strathcona, a job is well done only if it’s done safely.”

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23

Total Alignment Millwrights Local 1460 provides training course specifically designed for TAMSIL/FT Services employees

D

uring the first week of June, five TAMSIL millwrights attended a three-day training course in Machinery Alignment, presented by the Millwrights Union Local 1460 in Edmonton.

This was a first in a number of respects. It was the first union-presented course specifically for TAMSIL; it was the first training course resulting from the Critical Skills Development Project led by the Learning Organization & Development (LOD) team of TAMSIL’s parent company, FT Services; it was the first course where union members currently working for TAMSIL attended on company time; and it was the first non-safety training, craft-specific course organized by FT Services.

TAMSIL’s five millwrights, four from the Suncor main site and one from the Nexen Long Lake site, ranged in experience level from fourth-year apprentice to 30+ year journeymen supervisor.

“This group of members was enthusiastic and knowledgeable,” says Bob Hugh, Millwrights Union director of training. “They participated freely, making it a highly interactive course.”

From L to R: Dave Knight (trainer), Logan Mosiondz, Trenton Hill, James Lucas, Dave Gladden, Jim Archer (trainer) and Steve Jordan

OVERALL SATISFACTION RATING 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% LOW 24

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SUMMER 2011

AVERAGE

HIGH

VERY HIGH

Regardless of their background and experience, all participants felt that the course provided value and provided positive feedback regarding the course content and delivery by the union hall trainers, Jim Archer, Dave Knight and Hans Kruger.

As the accompanying chart illustrates, the overall satisfaction rating amongst the trainees was very high.

Further constructive feedback received from the trainers and trainees on the length of the course was also enlightening – it was too short!

At FT Services’ request, the Millwrights Union compressed the course duration to three 10-hour days; a deviation from the normal five eight-hour days required.

“The [Millwrights] Local 1460 could not have been more accommodating in meeting our request,” says Ruth Sutcliffe, LOD specialist with FT Services, tasked with the Critical Skills Development Project. “In the training and development of our craft and its members, we share the same goals and objectives. It has been a pleasure working with the Millwrights Local 1460 training team, which bodes well for a long and fruitful association.”

The course, which included both classroom and hands-on training, covered subjects such as pre-alignment checks (including checking and correcting “soft foot”), the different types of misalignment (and why we need to correct them); the effects of pipe strain and allowing for thermal growth, and how to properly align machines using both dial and laser alignment equipment.

“Site surveys conducted in numerous process plants across North America have concluded that 70 per cent of all pump failures are attributed to some form of misalignment,” says Chris Yexley, general manager, maintenance and reliability, for FT Services. “Ensuring that our craft are properly trained in certain critical skills partially fulfills our obligations under the Process Safety Management regulations. A competent craftsperson, together with detailed maintenance instructions, where appropriate, gives us a high degree of confidence that work will be executed in a skilled and safe manner. This is the end objective.”

Only time will truly tell how effective this training has been.

However, the measurement of success will also be dependent on how much opportunity the participants are given to apply these skills at site.

FT Services’ Critical Skills Development Process requires that followup field assessments be carried out. The results from these, together with the feedback from both the trainers and trainees, will be used to assess the overall effectiveness of the course delivery and to determine if modifications to either the content or duration need to be made.

A dedicated FT Services team, comprised of LOD, reliability, and operations representatives, has visited a number of individual union training centres and been impressed with what they have seen and heard. This was the first of what is hoped to be many successful ventures in the development of training courses offered to TAMSIL’s various union personnel; the next being “Hoisting & Rigging.”

Local 1460 Millwrights

REPORT

Expansion Plans

T

Bob Hugh, Senior Business Representative - Millwrights

he Alberta Regional Council is adding an annex building to the current location in Edmonton. Included in the new building will be another millwright shop, complete with another overhead crane. The new crane will have a seven metric tonne capacity. The size and layout of the new shop will be very similar to our existing facility. We will have a mezzanine floor that can accommodate classroom space plus union record storage. This will ensure we have sufficient capacity to offer several courses simultaneously without having to prearrange classroom availability.

On June 8, Trade Winds to Success students visited our shop and were informed about the eight-week millwright pre-apprenticeship program we have developed. The 22 students will make a decision about participating in the pre-apprenticeship program offered by the plumbers, pipefitters, electricians, boilermakers, ironworkers, carpenters and millwrights.

We need to attract at least six students to our program to make it a viable opportunity. Approximately one-half of the Trade Winds to Success students that graduated from our previous eight-week millwright preapprenticeship program are now productive members of our local.

On May 11 and 12, 2011, Millwrights Local 1460 participated as an exhibitor in the 2011 Provincial Skills Canada Competition held at the Edmonton Expo Centre. This event is Alberta’s Largest Trade and Technology Career Fair.

We invited Stan Buller with KBIM to demonstrate laser levelling and flange facing while Dave Knight and Hans Kruger demonstrated laser alignment and wire line alignment procedures. The alignment and wire line props that Dave and Hans fabricated received very favourable feedback from a variety of community colleges that were attending the trade fair. Lisa Wilson was very busy giving out information about our local to the over 5,000 people from across Alberta who were there to explore a trade career option. One of our members, Gerald Gayton, placed third in the 2011 Provincial Skills Canada Competition for the millwright trade. Gerald has been invited to participate in the 2011 Canadian National Carpentry, Drywall & Millwright Apprenticeship Contest that is held August 26 and 27, 2011 in Quebec City, Quebec.

HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

25

REPORT

Training and Apprenticeship

Membership Has Its Privileges

A

s we move into the middle of summer 2011, we are seeing a definite surge in both numbers of members requesting training and available jobs out there. What we still see happening is members will register for training, either while working or in between jobs, and then when it is time to attend the scheduled training they cancel at the last minute, or worse yet, don’t show up.

Quite often the reason is because of a job, or not being able to leave a project, and in most cases that can be understood. Letting us know as soon as possible of a cancellation is greatly appreciated to help us plan our classes. (You don’t want to be stuck with a no-show fee, so cancel early!)

The other reality though, is the longer that apprenticeship or other required safety training is put off, the harder it can be to get back on track, and to see what should be regular raises in the pay scale not happening can be frustrating.

Everyone must also understand that with increased demand for services comes a need to expand and adapt, which also takes time to implement. This is a real balancing act as we at the ACTC attempt to gauge demand month by month and match that with availability of different types of training. Please be sure to commit to the dates scheduled for you, and encourage others to the same!

We have brought on two new full-time instructors in our Edmonton location and one contract-turned-full-time instructor to work with our lead instructor Hughie Bruce in Calgary. We are looking at offering a more varied course schedule in our Calgary centre to meet the needs of our area contractors. We are pushing as many scaffold courses in the province as we can, and are ramping up to provide more with our new instructors. It takes time and training to be a great instructor, and we are currently training what we feel will be great additions to our team. (Many thanks to all the highly qualified applicants for the positions; we are keeping resumés on file for future.)

Our training centre in Fort McMurray with Stan Cisna continues to fill up on a regular basis for scaffold classes. Not to mention all the other great work that is being done by our other instructors in Edmonton with our scaffold, carpentry and safety training, and the hard work that all of our administration staff does on a daily basis – it does not go overlooked.

As of this fall, all Level 3 Scaffold and JM Upgrade Classes are being increased by one week in duration. This will incorporate a UBC International Certified Rigging program, and a one-day UBC Foreman leadership class. This is what contractors and members have been asking for and now it is here.

AWP – Scissor lift and Powered Manlift (JLG, etc.) is a two-day course that will be available in Edmonton, as well as Forklift and Telescoping Forklift (Zoom-Boom, etc), with its first offerings on our posted 2011-2012 schedule.

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HARDHAT

SUMMER 2011

Len Bryden, Director of Training and Apprenticeship Alberta Carpenters Training Centre Did you know the Alberta Carpenters Training Fund will reimburse all tuition costs for the available NAIT/SAIT – ISM/Lather three-year (eight weeks/year) apprenticeship program? With the market desperately needing trained ISM/Lathers (Interior System Mechanics/Drywallers, etc.), there is an opportunity to get into another exciting and rewarding trade through your membership. Please contact me right away so I can start you down the right path to get going in this apprenticeship program.

I will be making more announcements regarding this through our collective websites and via membership e-mails, so please take a look when you can. I will also be asking for volunteers to come forward for a number of upcoming events this year and next, such as a Habitat for Humanity 100 per cent union-built home happening this year in Edmonton. Let’s show our friends from Habitat that we are serious about helping our communities and showcasing our skills. Contact volunteer co-ordinator Angela Robichaud from Habitat for Humanity at 780-451-3416 ext. 223 for more information or to sign on as a carpenter union volunteer.

Some interesting facts: The Training Fund paid out just over $265,000 in Student LOA Benefits for our scaffold programs for people who qualified, as well as $29,000 in Student Travel benefits (total of $294,524) in 2010 alone. In 2010, the Alberta Carpenters Training Fund spent over $1.1 million in training courses, materials and reimbursements. This does not include any operating costs, other costs, or wages and benefits for staff.

We are constantly looking at new and innovative ways to use the training fund wisely, to properly educate as many as possible and enhance our members’ skills and safety, and to let contractors know they are getting some guarantee of success, pride and professionalism when they hire our members exclusively. This is what we are about. As the saying goes, “Membership has its privileges!” Just ask one of our many thousands of qualified, certified, ticketed and trained members what they think now that they are at the JM level, or even an apprentice going through an apprenticeship program. They will all say, “It’s worth it!”

Contact us or link to our ACTC website from www.albertacarpenters. com for more information on our schedules or our training centre policies, and keep up the good work!

KidZone

By ROBIN SCHROFFEL

Team Building Q: A:

How many people does it take to build a house?

160.

No, this isn’t one of those light bulb jokes. An American writer named Russ Lay actually counted the number of people that help to build a house. Many of you know that carpenters are workers who help build the houses we live in, but they couldn’t do it all by themselves.

In fact, building a house from start to finish takes a whole network of people, each with a special job to do. Some of them build, some of them decorate, and some of them work at the stores where the contractor buys the supplies. It’s because of everyone’s hard work and co-operation that when families move into a new house, they have everything they need.

To build a house, you need a lot of people and companies doing many different jobs. Meet a few of them: Contractor: Oversees everything and makes sure the house is built well.

Get Out of the House

Engineer: Checks that the house will meet building and fire codes.

Excavator: Digs the hole where the foundation will be poured.

Porta-potty company: Brings portable toilets for the workers to use.

Crane operator: Lifts wood and other heavy parts onto the upper floors with a crane.

Drywall company: Installs the inside walls.

Painter: Paints both the inside and the outside of the house.

Carpet layer: Lays down the carpet and other flooring.

Electrician: Connects the house to electrical power.

Plumber: Makes sure the bathrooms and kitchens have clean hot and cold water.

Trash bin company: Delivers a big bin to collect all the garbage, and takes it away to the dump.

start

nd fi n a c u See if yo hrough t y a w r u yo ut o d n a e the maz use o h e h t of

finish HARDHAT SUMMER 2011

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Parting Shot

Downstream Development

Built in 1954, the Bearspaw plant was primarily constructed to reduce the chances of ice packing and winter flooding on the Bow River through the City of Calgary. It was built by what was then named the Calgary Power Co. Ltd. (the company’s name was changed to TransAlta Utilities Corporation in 1981) and was the first of three major hydroelectric plants projects undertaken by the company in the mid-1950s. Today, the Bearspaw plant generates enough electricity to supply the equivalent of 10,700 Alberta households.

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HARDHAT

SUMMER 2011

UPCOMING

In Memoriam ARCCAW notes with sorrow the passing of the following members.

LOCAL 1325 George Quinn February 2011, Age 63 Raymond Dionne April 2011, Age 85

Training + Events

GENERAL EVENTS Local 1325 Picnic August 14, 2011, 11:30 a.m.

15210 123 Avenue, Edmonton

October 4, 2011, 7:30 p.m.

Carpenters Union Hall 301 10 Street NW, Calgary

2011 Canadian National Carpentry, Drywall & Millwright Apprenticeship Contest August 26-27, 2011 Quebec City, Quebec

First Wednesday of each month: Local 1325 meeting Third Thursday of each month: Local 2103 meeting Fourth Tuesday of each month: Local 1460 meeting

Scott Spellman May 2011, Age 34 Peter Doering February 2011, Age 83

TRAINING Alberta Carpenters Training Centre

Kenneth Samson February 2011, Age 72

The following is a sampling of training courses that are open for registration at the time of publication of this edition of Hard Hat. For full listings or more information on training courses, visit www.abcarptc.ab.ca or phone the Edmonton office: 780-455-6532 or toll-free 1-877-455-6532.

Thomas Zgierski May 2011, Age 38 LOCAL 2103 Samuel Burak May 2011, Age 90

Edmonton OSSA Fall Protection: August 2, 12, 16, 26 OSSA Confined Space: August 6, 20, September 3 H2S Alive (Enform Certified): August 7, 21, September 4 Industrial Technical Training: September 19 to October 2 Period 1 Carpentry: October 31 to December 23

MEETINGS Active Members of Locals 1325 and 2103 are invited to attend ACAW Trust Funds Information Meetings. For more information call 780-477-9131, Option 2 or toll-free at 1-800-588-1037, Option 2.

October 1, 2011, 9:30 a.m.

Carpenters Union Hall 15210 123 Avenue, Edmonton October 3, 2011, 8:00 p.m.

Radisson Hotel 435 Gregoire Drive, Fort McMurray

Get ahead financially.

Calgary Industrial Technical Training: September 6 to 18 OSSA Confined Space: September 10 H2S Alive (Enform Certified): September 11 Pre-Employment Carpentry Program: December 5 to February 3 Fort McMurray To register for classes, you must be a Fort McMurray resident.

Scaffolding Level 3: November 28 to December 23, 2011; March 26 to April 20, 2012 Scaffolding Level 2: April 23 to May 11, 2012 Millwrights Training Centre Visit www.albertamillwrights.com for a current listing of training courses available.

Speak to us today for: • Investment planning and advice • RSP, RRIF, TFSA and RESP guidance • Mutual Funds, GICs and other investment solutions • Mortgage and Borrowing services

Proud to support the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters & Allied Workers.

Camille Coderre Account Manager, Small Business 780-448-7763 camillel.coderre@scotiabank.com ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia.

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HARDHAT

SUMMER 2011

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Alberta Carpenters Training Centre We’ve trained North America’s best scaffolders for 15 years.

The Alberta Carpenters Training Centre has delivered its 3-year Scaffolder Apprenticeship and Carpenter JM Upgrade Scaffold Programs, as well as dozens of other safety and skill training programs, to thousands of students in three training centres – Edmonton, Ft. McMurray & Calgary – since 1994.

Our new $23 million centre includes two state-ofthe-art scaffold shops, including one purpose-built to accommodate suspended scaffolding.

ACTC-trained scaffolders work on some of the world’s largest mega-projects. Many of the scaffolds they design and build are unique, highly-complicated, and critical to both human safety and worker productivity.

www.abcarptc.ab.ca

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If you have products or services that demand the attention of the construction industry and want to reach this key target audience, Hard Hat provides a unique forum to access more than 11,000 of the sector’s key decision makers.

The Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers (ARCCAW) represents more than 11,000 members working across several construction industries, including carpenters, millwrights, scaffolders, interior system mechanics, roofers and floor layers.

For further details or to discuss your advertising needs, contact: Leah Mawer, Account Executive 10259-105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3 Tel: (780) 990-0819 ext. 246 • Toll-free: 1-866-227-4276 ext. 246 Email: lmawer@albertaoilmagazine.com Venture Ad 1-2H.indd 1

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