Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Im just a worker mate!
I was building the bridge girders for the henday in Edmonton,then I was making the deck slabs,now I work nightshift monitoring steam temps,and RH for the curing process.
The bridge girders were a nightmare,especially last summer,talk about breaking a sweat,a lot of hard work goes into those bad boys.

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

One has health and safety standards... the other does not.

I never cease to be amazed at some of the things I see going on on construction sites here. Gaping holes in the ground with little if any notice. Vehicles parked dangerously, people clambering about using harnesses and ladders when they should be using scaffold, etc.

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Well you will have to Que for it! I live in regina and currently work on a construction site in wayburn. even now at 0630-0730 there a possibly 15-20 cars lined up at the drive through and a line inside about 6 or 7 deep!
Its hot in regina though so I hope you enjoy it

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Interesting to know how you get on with the curing in such low temperatures ?

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

That dont sound good , whats the injury statistics over there like

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Thanks for the comments so far fellas please keep them coming.

Going for a look around and meet the company from the 21st June for a week,looking foward to it .

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

A lot worse than the UK.

They artificially disguise the statistics in Canada by having 'back to work programmes', so they will get a carpenter with a broken leg back to work on day 3 after an accident sat in the lunch room reading the paper or surfing the internet.

Your employer will send the Superintendent (or his lacky) with you to hospital with the back-to-work forms, to make sure it happens before the doctor tells you to go home to recover for a few weeks.

That way that broken leg doesn't get counted...

Exactly what used to happen in the UK about 20 years ago.

Which is where safety is in Canada - about 1994.

Some things they are quite hot on (certainly in BC): silica, confined spaces and noise. But that's about it.

Working at height is still where it was in the UK in the early 1990s. Edge protection (if it is there) will be made of wood and might stop you falling over the edge if you are skinny (and short).

You will be buying your own boots. Decent ones are twice the price they are in the UK and you can't claim the cost back in most cases.

Don't expect a method statement or a proper risk assessment unless you are doing something REALLY dangerous.

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Makes you wonder if you can influence it, I'm bringing plenty of knowledge from the UK so I wonder if you can make a difference or just have to go along with the flow

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

I'm a Manager and it's like p*ssing into a force 10 gale.

They talk like they want to change, but change costs money and if nobody else is doing it, why should they because it would lose them the Tender?

The safety authorities are poor. That's half the problem.

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Well noted, thanks mate, always comes down to a pound note dont it

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

withabix your a manager, other than the H&S whats the good and the bad about the job ?

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

We cure them indoors covered in tarps with live steam year round until they are ready to be stored outside.
Back in Scotland we would pour them one day and fire them outside the next morning rain,hail,sleet,or snow.

On the boots front,mine cost $200 in Marks.
A lot of employers will piss test you if you have an accident.

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Now that's pretty bad , how are you meant to manage the subbys properly ?
Its defiantly going to be an eye opener when I get there

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

That's a polite way of putting it. So I get hold of the city inspector, too busy, can't come out (and I know they're understaffed), get hold of the province, can't do anything, I'm not actually "employed" on that site, so I can't report a violation. In the end I called CPS, who really couldn't do a fat lot although they did threaten to get the city inspector out.

What a joke.

Re: The difference between UK and Canada construction sites
 

Good question, how are you...