Brooks’ sterling safety record

Wednesday, 24 September 2008 21:47

CARRIE KELLY The Pipeline The Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Council recognized 697 Alberta employers with exceptional records in workplace health and safety in 2007 and many of them are based out of Brooks.  Companies such as Deranway Enterprises Ltd., Latigo Trucking Ltd., Liberty Trucking Ltd., Midfield Supply, Samsco Service and Rollin Air Pressure Services Ltd. were all noted as having top-notch safety records. “These companies are the cream of the crop when it comes to workplace health and safety,” said Hector Goudreau, Minister of Employment and Immigration. “They recognize the priorities of Albertans, which are to get home safe to enjoy life and family and everything else our province offers.” Rollin Air Pressure Services has been operating in Brooks for more than 15 years and also has a location in Vulcan. “We’re honored to be named to the list,” said general manager Brent Altwasser. “We’ve always put a lot of focus on safety, but certainly not with the intent of being recognized.” Altwasser partly attributes the safety success to the fact that Rollin Air Pressure is a small company, with about 10 employees. “As a result, management and employees work close together,” he said. “We’ve got long term employees who are very knowledgeable in the work they perform.” For Samsco Service in Brooks, this is the second year in a row they have been recognized as one of Alberta’s Best Safety Performers. “It’s definitely important because the industry is stressing safety more and more,” said owner John Thomson.  Samsco’s nine employees do flow proving, relief valves and general oilfield maintenance repairs. Safety seems to come naturally to the staff, Thomson acknowledged. “The core group of employees here have been here a long time, so they know what they're doing,” he said. The awards program began in 2003, when 350 recipients were recognized. Criteria have been revised over the years, including the use of disabling injury rates instead of lost-time claim rates to recognize that an injury is still an injury even if a worker’s duty is modified. “If I had a family member entering the workforce, this is the list I’d be looking at to help ensure their health and safety,” said Tim Bennett, chair of the OHS Council which advises the minister on matters related to the health and safety of Alberta workers. “I encourage all Alberta workers to check the Work Safe Alberta website to see if their company is on the list. And if not, they should ask their employer how they can help make the grade next year.” A list of Alberta’s Best Safety Performers, by region, is available at www.worksafely.org by clicking on workplace health and safety. The Best Safety Performers Awards complement the priorities of Work Safe Alberta, a unique partnership between industry, labour and government. An integral part of the initiative is promoting workplace health and safety by increasing public awareness.