Choosing the right contractor for your home renovation is about more than cost—it’s also about safety. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, we discuss contractor safety standards when it comes to home renovations. This episode takes a different approach as it plays out real-world scenarios and conversations between a homeowner and potential contractors.

The conversations emphasize the importance of contractor safety standards and the critical decisions homeowners must make when hiring a contractor for their home renovations. Key tips to keep in mind when hiring a contractor include:

· Always ask for proof of WSIB coverage and liability insurance

· Pay rapt attention to how the contractor talks about safety

· Remember that the cheapest quote isn't always the best deal

Free resources

Hiring a Roofing Contractor: Tips for Homeowners

Hiring a Commercial Diving Contractor

Homeowner, Unit Owner, Tenant: My Responsibilities

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In 2022, Ontario recorded the highest number of transport truck collisions in a decade, causing 71 fatalities due to inexperienced drivers, risky moves by some truck drivers, and mechanical failures. On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Kim Richardson, senior advisor with The Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC), discusses the crucial need for smarter and more thorough training in the trucking industry.

Kim, a long-time truck driver in Ontario, explains that the PTTAC is calling for a major shift in recognizing truck driving as a Red Seal trade, which would mean stricter standardized training across the country and potentially lead to safer roads for everyone. The Red Seal certification program, which is being developed by the Red Seal committee, aims to make commercial truck driving a principal trade in five provinces, with Alberta taking the lead. The program will require drivers to attend an approved school and carrier involved in the Red Seal program, and a minimum of 2,000 hours behind the wheel before a written test can be taken.

To further raise awareness for the program, the Red Seal committee, consisting of industry leaders, carriers, insurers, and schools, developed a three-part approach: educate, advocate, and support. Industry leaders should educate their industries on the benefits of the Red Seal apprenticeship, while government and association leadership at high levels should advocate for the program. Carriers' support is also essential, as their involvement is crucial for the program's survival.

Kim further discusses what a ‘misclassified driver’ represents, how a Red Seal certification addresses international drivers and their eligibility to operate in Canada, and how interested parties in the Red Seal approach can get involved.

Free resources

Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada

Trucking Operations: Your Personal Safety

Struck-by Hazards in Transportation

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On this episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast, Michele Beckstead-Jackson from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) discusses the importance of asbestos awareness in Ontario workplaces and the required training for workers and supervisors to ensure they are well-equipped to recognize asbestos hazards and know how to safely control them.

Asbestos remains a dangerous material, particularly in construction and renovation projects. Proper training for workers and supervisors is not only best practice—it’s a legal requirement. Michele states that general awareness training by a competent person is required regardless of whether a worker is performing Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 operations. For Type 3 asbestos abatement work, 253W and 253S are required modular trainings under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, which means workers and supervisors must complete one of these courses before performing or overseeing any Type 3 abatement work. Without a valid 253W or 253S certificate of completion card, a worker or supervisor is not legally permitted to engage in Type 3 work.

Michele mentions a separate training, 253H, which is an apprenticeship program designed to provide apprentices with basic training to handle various hazardous materials in the workplace. However, it does not include the specialized training required for Type 3 abatement work and therefore is not an acceptable substitute for 253W or 253S.

Michele also explains the similarities and differences between the modular and apprenticeship programs, as well as the registration process for trainings.

Free resources

Asbestos Awareness and Training Requirements for Workplace Safety (Ep. 99)

Asbestos on Construction Projects - Reporting and Notification Responsibilities (Ep. 82)

Health and Safety Advisory: Asbestos in Elevator Components

Health & Safety Advisory: Heat Stress and Type 3 Asbestos Operations

Asbestos Work in Construction Hazard Awareness

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