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Brother James Tracy is filling up a 950 CAT Loader full of ballast rocks. The stones will feature in the construction of The Trillium Line railroad expansion in Ottawa. The Trillium Line project, between Bayview LRT station and Riverside South, with a spur to the Ottawa International Airport, had a completion date of August 2022 […]

Brother James Tracy is filling up a 950 CAT Loader full of ballast rocks. The stones will feature in the construction of The Trillium Line railroad expansion in Ottawa.

The Trillium Line project, between Bayview LRT station and Riverside South, with a spur to the Ottawa International Airport, had a completion date of August 2022 but has since been delayed. The project aims to be completed in late spring or early summer of 2023.

General contractor is SNC-Lavalin.

Local 793 members are getting down to business installing sewer infrastructure beneath the former Bayside Mall in downtown Sarina. This construction has kicked off a new residential retirement build since the mall’s demolition. From left to right, Brothers Donny Campbell, Mike Mitchell, and Les Brooks stand in front of a Kobelco SK210 LC excavator. General […]

Local 793 members are getting down to business installing sewer infrastructure beneath the former Bayside Mall in downtown Sarina.

This construction has kicked off a new residential retirement build since the mall’s demolition.

From left to right, Brothers Donny Campbell, Mike Mitchell, and Les Brooks stand in front of a Kobelco SK210 LC excavator.

General contractor is OSP Contractors.

Sewer and watermain reconstructions are underway on Ottawa Street in Kitchener. Brother Steve Badertscher operates a 550K Brandt crawler dozer to move work along. The work is needed to replace the 1950/ 1960s vintage infrastructure nearing the end of its life cycle. The general contractor is Steed & Evans Ltd.

Sewer and watermain reconstructions are underway on Ottawa Street in Kitchener. Brother Steve Badertscher operates a 550K Brandt crawler dozer to move work along.

The work is needed to replace the 1950/ 1960s vintage infrastructure nearing the end of its life cycle.

The general contractor is Steed & Evans Ltd.

Nothing is better than working with a waterfront view. Brother Lestat Odorizzi operates a 200ft Terex Peiner SK415 crane on a new 11-storey, 215-unit high-rise in Barrie. Brother Tony Iaconis (on the ground) installs helical piles to stabilize the structure by operating a CAT 320F excavator with a drill head. This project on Lakeshore Drive […]

Nothing is better than working with a waterfront view. Brother Lestat Odorizzi operates a 200ft Terex Peiner SK415 crane on a new 11-storey, 215-unit high-rise in Barrie.

Brother Tony Iaconis (on the ground) installs helical piles to stabilize the structure by operating a CAT 320F excavator with a drill head.

This project on Lakeshore Drive is a part of the City’s plan to develop many residential towers to allow community growth.

GC: Summit Forming Ltd. & HCM Group.

Sister Rosie Parsons operates a Komatsu HM400 rock truck, clearing the site for a bridge replacement at Highway 400 and Highway 89 in Innisfil. The steadfast work of our members on this transportation infrastructure project will help connect communities and lessen the time spent in traffic. General Contractor for this job is Fermar Paving Limited.

Sister Rosie Parsons operates a Komatsu HM400 rock truck, clearing the site for a bridge replacement at Highway 400 and Highway 89 in Innisfil.

The steadfast work of our members on this transportation infrastructure project will help connect communities and lessen the time spent in traffic.

General Contractor for this job is Fermar Paving Limited.

Local 793 operators should be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses during periods of especially hot weather. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that heat-related illnesses can strike with little warning. Construction workers are especially susceptible because they’re often exposed to direct sunlight and humidity. Heat stress and exhaustion can cause […]

Local 793 operators should be on the lookout for signs of heat-related illnesses during periods of especially hot weather.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety warns that heat-related illnesses can strike with little warning. Construction workers are especially susceptible because they’re often exposed to direct sunlight and humidity.

Heat stress and exhaustion can cause myriad problems from rashes and cramps to exhaustion and full-blown heat stroke. Symptoms of heat stress can include sunburn, fainting, heavy sweating, headaches and dizzy spells.

It’s important, then, for operators as well as employers to prepare ahead of time, recognize symptoms of heat stress and know how to treat it when problems arise.

Heat stress occurs when the body can no longer maintain its normal temperature. The body’s internal thermostat maintains a constant inner temperature by pumping more blood to the skin and by increasing sweat production. But in very hot environments the body temperature can rise, resulting in heat stress. When the body can no longer cope, a number of illnesses can occur, including:

• Heat Rash: This is characterized by tiny red spots on the skin that can cause a prickling sensation. It’s a result of inflammation when the ducts of sweat glands become plugged.
• Heat Cramps: These are sharp pains in the muscles caused by an imbalance resulting from failure to replace salt lost with sweat.
• Heat Exhaustion: This is caused by loss of body water and salt through excessive sweating. Symptoms include weakness, dizziness, visual disturbances, intense thirst, headaches, vomiting, muscle cramps and diarrhea.
• Heat Stroke: This condition requires immediate medical attention and is characterized by an elevated body temperature. Signs of heat stroke include dry, hot skin, a high body temperature and complete or partial loss of consciousness.

Prolonged exposure to heat can cause other problems such as sleep disturbances and susceptibility to minor injuries and sicknesses.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour recommends that workers in a hot environment should try to drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and that workers also:

• avoid working in direct sunlight
• reduce the pace of work
• take breaks in a cool or shaded area
• schedule heavy work for cooler periods
• wear light-coloured clothing
• reduce the physical demands of work

Employers have a duty under clause 25(2)(h) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker. This includes developing policies and procedures to protect workers in environments that are hot because of hot processes and/or weather.

Any Local 793 operators with concerns about employers not taking appropriate steps to help workers avoid heat stroke and exhaustion should contact their business rep.

Click here for more information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.

Click here for more information from the Ontario government.

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. It is a time for learning about, appreciating, and acknowledging the contributions they have made in shaping Canada. But as we celebrate the progress made, we must also accept that much […]

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize the history, heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada. It is a time for learning about, appreciating, and acknowledging the contributions they have made in shaping Canada.

But as we celebrate the progress made, we must also accept that much more remains to be done.

From a full accounting of the horrors of the residential school system, to investigating the disproportionate level of violence experienced by Indigenous women and addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, our journey is far from over.

The appointment of Mary Simon in 2021 as the first Indigenous Governor General of Canada represents an important step forward for this country as it continues to work towards reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Ms. Simon has spent a great part of her life working on Arctic and Indigenous issues and has been widely recognized for her efforts in advocating for Inuit rights, youth, education and culture.

Pope Francis was moved to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in the residential school system after meeting a delegation of Indigenous peoples in Rome earlier this year. He is expected to address the issue again when he visits Quebec, Edmonton and Iqaluit in July.

Indigenous families remain deeply scarred by the generations of abuse perpetrated within the walls of residential schools. As such, Indigenous peoples are entitled to more than just an apology if true healing is to take place.

The hard work of reconciliation can’t just be left up to religious and political leaders, however. All of us who build our lives in this vast and beautiful country have a responsibility to do our part to keep the process advancing. A great place to start is by educating ourselves and our children about the history of Indigenous peoples.

IUOE Local 793 stands with Indigenous peoples across the country and within our Union membership, as we continue to work together to build a stronger, fairer Canada for all.

Local 793 members are staying busy on the William Halton Parkway expansion project in Oakville. Bot Construction is the general contractor for this $80 million project that is scheduled to be completed by November 2023. Below are some photos of Local 793 members working on the project.

Local 793 members are staying busy on the William Halton Parkway expansion project in Oakville. Bot Construction is the general contractor for this $80 million project that is scheduled to be completed by November 2023.

Below are some photos of Local 793 members working on the project.

IUOE Local 793 is acknowledging Fire Prevention Week (FPW) that runs from October 3 – 9. This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” which is to educate yourself and others on the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe when disaster […]

IUOE Local 793 is acknowledging Fire Prevention Week (FPW) that runs from October 3 – 9. This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” which is to educate yourself and others on the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe when disaster strikes.

To promote FPW, the Oakville Fire Department is challenging businesses and organizations to a friendly sign war, where creative fire safety messages are shared via marquee or digital signs to help bring recognition to FPW.

Below is Local 793’s creative message.

Sources: https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/About

Congratulations to Local 793 member Celine Cesaroni for winning the 2021 ACTIMS Women in the Trades apprentice award. The Women In Trades Awards/Bursaries Program was created to recognize women who are members of the Canadian Building Trades, and to bring awareness of employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades. Celine started her heavy equipment apprenticeship in 2018 and has successfully completed her 636A tractor-loader-backhoe and […]

Congratulations to Local 793 member Celine Cesaroni for winning the 2021 ACTIMS Women in the Trades apprentice award. The Women In Trades Awards/Bursaries Program was created to recognize women who are members of the Canadian Building Trades, and to bring awareness of employment opportunities for women in the skilled trades.

Celine started her heavy equipment apprenticeship in 2018 and has successfully completed her 636A tractor-loader-backhoe and 636B excavator apprenticeships. She is expanding her skills and is currently completing her 636C dozer apprenticeship.

This annual awards/bursaries program provides three recipients each with $1,500.