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NCSO Conference


 
In March 2012 the ACSA will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) Program. This year’s NCSO conference has been expanded for an optional 2 day program so our participants can take some of our newest courses in a workshops style Thursday and Friday participants will see a great lineup of industry leading speakers. This conference is designed for all Construction Safety Professionals and is sure to be a value for all those attending. The event is planned and is taking place on March 8th & 9th, 2012, at the Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. The Conference has been a sellout each year in Edmonton so please register early to save your seat.
 
SAF-T-REG - ACSA's New Province Wide Toll Free Course Registration Number Minimize

The Alberta Construction Safety Association has implemented a new province-wide Toll-Free course registration phone number for classroom and e-Learning courses.  This new toll-free number will go directly to our dedicated registration teams who will help you book the safety training that is right for you.

The best part : It's one number for all of Alberta.  Whether you're in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Milk River or High Level; 1-855-SAF-T-REG (1-855-723-8734) will get you the excellent  member service you always get, just quicker.  Give us a call and book your next safety training Today.

  
DeWalt Large Angle Grinder Safety Notification Minimize

 

DEWALT has identified a potential safety hazard with certain large angle grinder side handles. We are concerned that under certain circumstances a small number of side handles could exhibit a condition where the handle could break causing the user to lose full control of the unit. (Read More)
  
Gold Seal Program Updates


Upcoming Gold Seal Exam Date
January 20, 2012 Application
Submission deadline is December 9th, 2011.
Changes to the Gold Seal requirements effective January 1, 2012


Education & Training Requirements

  • Courses must be related to the designation, cannot be product or promotional endorsement or an
    exam preparatory course
  • All courses will have to have been taken within the last 10 years with the exception of diplomas or
    degree programs
  • Education & Training credits will be allocated based on course duration (hours) rather than on
    Specialty Industry Courses (SIC) credits

    Gold Seal Intern (GSI) Experience Requirements
  • A GSI must have a minimum of 1 year Canadian working experience in the designation applied for
    or a minimum of 2 years of Canadian working experience in an assistant position in the
    designation applied for OR
  • A GSI candidate must be enrolled in an employer‐sponsored education program leading to
    recognition as a Project Manager, an Estimator or a Superintendent. Employment as a Project
    Coordinator, Assistant Project Manager, Assistant Superintendent or Jr. Estimator is considered to
    be an employer‐sponsored education program. The application must be accompanied by a letter of
    endorsement from the employer.
  • A GSI candidate for the Construction Safety Coordinator designation must have completed the
    required training but does not possess the minimum 5 years minimum construction related experience.
    The application must be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the employer.

    Multiple Gold Seal Applications
  • Candidates applying for more than one Gold Seal certificate can only gain one designation via the
    Senior Practitioner stream. They must challenge the exam to gain any other certifications.
    Application Fees
  • The application fee will increase to $500 + GST on January 1, 2012.
  • An administrative fee of $75 +GST will be retained by the local construction association office
    if an applicant withdraws or is not accepted in the Gold Seal Certification program

     

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    Leadership for Safety Excellence Alumni Minimize

     

    There is concern in the Alberta construction industry that the industry will face a shortage of properly trained and experienced construction supervisors in the near future. This concern is supported by the Construction Sector Council’s (CSC) Construction Looking Forward forecast.

    The shortage of properly trained and experienced construction supervisors will worsen in coming years as the number of retirements increases. A shortage of properly trained and qualified construction supervisors can create bottlenecks in the construction industry and may increase the risks to both health and safety and the quality of construction work.

    The CSC’s forecast provides a good global view of the trend to skills shortages for construction supervisors. However, to address this shortage the industry needs more detailed information on the skills and experience of the current work force.

    Have you completed the ACSA LSE program, if yes the Construction Sector Council (CSC) is asking for your help by completing an online survey. The ACSA endorses the voluntary participation in this survey by all ACSA LSE Certificate holders.

    Please follow the link below if wish to participate.

    http://www.prismsurveys.com/surveys/CSC-ACSA/CSC-ACSA%20Survey.htm
      
    New Hazard Management Course

     

    The ACSA presents a new Hazard Management course, which has been strategically designed to capture the interest of attendees through the practical application and integration of theory and practice as they relate to hazard management. The course will assist all stakeholders effectively apply hazard management in the workplace and place everyone on the same frame of reference.

    Register now for this exciting one-day course!
    Road Construction Safety Campaign focuses on workers and motorists
     

    The Partners in Road Construction Safety and the Government of Alberta are onceagain reminding motorists to bepatient and drive safely through road construction sites on Alberta’s highways this season.

    "Collisions in construction and maintenance zones are unacceptable,” said Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Transportation. “These collisions should not happen and motorists do need to slow down in construction zones and pay attention to the warning signs and flag people.”  

    In 2005, speeding fines were doubled in construction zones when workers are present to encourage motorists to slow down and save lives however casualties continue to increase.

    “The May long weekend is the unofficial start of Alberta’s road construction season,” according to Heidi Harris-Jensen, Chair of the Partners in Road Construction Safety (PIRCS) organization. “We recognize that construction can cause delays and create frustration with motorists. However, for the safety of road and utility workers and motorists, we ask drivers to slow down through construction zones. Please be alert for other hazards even if you don’t see workers or equipment.”

    2008 marked the highest numbers of collisions and fatalities in Alberta’s construction zones with 1072 collisions resulting in 229 injuries and killing seven people. Thankfully those statistics are decreasing; in 2009, there were 952 collisions in construction or maintenance zones that killed three people and injured 187 others.

    The province-wide PIRCS hopes to reduce the collisions that occur every year atroadway construction sites in Alberta. The PIRCS website features road construction locations, safety tips and details of the initiative. PIRCS has spent approximately $3 million since its creation in 2003 to promote construction zone safety through radio and television advertising, billboards, and signage in construction zones that feature the well-known “Don’t RIP Through Construction Zones” slogan. This is an important investment considering the province’s population and traffic have both increased considerably since 2003.

    PIRCS partners include Alberta Transportation, the Alberta Construction Safety Association, the City of Edmonton, the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association, City of St. Albert, Strathcona County, EPCOR, Edmonton Police Service, and Alberta Employment and Immigration (WorkSafe Alberta). 

    Click here for original article

     
    Copyright 2009 by Alberta Construction Safety Association