Local 793 Members Reminded That Solar Eclipse Presents Safety Hazards

While many people will be excited to experience the solar eclipse as it travels through much of Ontario today, Local 793 members are reminded that the rare event also presents a safety hazard. Across the province, the eclipse will start at approximately 2 p.m. before peaking between 3:15 and 3:25 p.m. in most major cities. While all of the province will see a partial eclipse, only certain areas will experience totality, including Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Kingston, and Burlington. While it may be tempting to look up as the […]

While many people will be excited to experience the solar eclipse as it travels through much of Ontario today, Local 793 members are reminded that the rare event also presents a safety hazard.

Across the province, the eclipse will start at approximately 2 p.m. before peaking between 3:15 and 3:25 p.m. in most major cities. While all of the province will see a partial eclipse, only certain areas will experience totality, including Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, Kingston, and Burlington.

While it may be tempting to look up as the moon passes between the earth and the sun, doing so could result in damaging your eyes.

Overexposure to UV light from the sun can cause blurry or distorted vision and blind spots and can also contribute to longer-term vision problems. There are no pain sensors in your eyes, so it is possible you will not know your eyes have been damaged by the sun’s rays for up to 48 hours after the event.

The only safe way to directly look at a solar eclipse is by using eclipse glasses or solar viewers that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard. It is not safe to watch the eclipse with regular sunglasses (no matter how dark they are), a welder’s mask with a filter rating below Shade 14, or a camera, telescope or binoculars unless they are fitted with specially designed filters.

Members could also face other hazards during the eclipse, such as distracted drivers on the roads and temporary darkness making fellow workers or jobsite obstacles difficult to spot. By following the safety guidelines, all members will be able to enjoy the solar eclipse safely.

Ontario’s path of totality of the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024


All times are local.
Source: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada

Local 793 Member Featured in OBCT Video Showing Positive Impacts for Women in the Trades

IUOE Local 793 member Shanna Hodgins is the focus of a new video that was released by the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), a committee established by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) to advocate for women in the skilled trades. In the video, Sister Hodgins tells her story of how she went from selling cranes to operating them, with help from IUOE Local 793 and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO). The OBCT hopes her experience will show other women and girls […]

IUOE Local 793 member Shanna Hodgins is the focus of a new video that was released by the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), a committee established by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) to advocate for women in the skilled trades.

In the video, Sister Hodgins tells her story of how she went from selling cranes to operating them, with help from IUOE Local 793 and the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO). The OBCT hopes her experience will show other women and girls that there is a route into the skilled trades open to them and that a career as an Operating Engineer can be both exciting and financially rewarding.

Watch the OBCT video on IUOE Local 793 member Shanna Hodgins:

Member Shanna Hodgins and crane.
Local 793 member Shanna Hodgins was featured in an OBCT video that shows the positive impacts a career in the trades can have for women.
Local 793 member Shanna Hodgins.
Local 793 member Shanna Hodgins.
Sister Shanna Hodgins in mobile crane.
Sister Hodgins became an Operating Engineer with Moir Crane Service after working for the company in sales.

Union Brothers Bring the Energy at Darlington New Nuclear Project

Local 793 members Brandon Petry and Mackenzie Kouyoumjion are working at the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) site for Aquatech Dewatering Company. Main site preparation is now underway at the nuclear generating station near Bowmanville, following the completion of early works in February. Work to be completed this year includes constructing the shoring wall ahead of excavating the reactor building, excavating the Unit 1 power block and clearing and grubbing for the three remaining Units. Nuclear construction work is scheduled to begin in 2025. Once connected to […]

Local 793 members Brandon Petry and Mackenzie Kouyoumjion are working at the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) Small Modular Reactor (SMR) site for Aquatech Dewatering Company.

Main site preparation is now underway at the nuclear generating station near Bowmanville, following the completion of early works in February. Work to be completed this year includes constructing the shoring wall ahead of excavating the reactor building, excavating the Unit 1 power block and clearing and grubbing for the three remaining Units. Nuclear construction work is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Once connected to the grid, the four SMRs will generate enough electricity to power 1.2 million homes.

Union members pose next to drill rig
(From left) Local 793 EPSCA Business Representative Paul Marshall joins members Brandon Petry and Mackenzie Kouyoumjion operating a TSi 150CC sonic drill rig for Aquatech Dewatering Company on the SMR project at Darlington Nuclear Generating Station.