Tag Archives: construction industry

Here Is How Concrete Contractors Adapt To Canada Winter

Concrete workers are unsung heroes. Their work doesn’t end, even when winter hits and the temperature drops.

Unlike people who work in the warmth of an indoor space, they may not have the luxury of avoiding the harsh weather

Without the right precautions, they may suffer from problems such as hypothermia, frostbite, or trench foot. The wet weather can also increase their risk of injury. If the weather is extremely harsh, then work can be called off for safety reasons. 

However, workers who are trained and experienced to work in cities that experience colder climates usually adapt well. For example, if you need someone to help you with concrete cutting in Calgary – then you can easily find a reputable and professional locally owned and operated company that’s been serving clients in cold climates for decades. 

Here are a few ways concrete contractors adapt to the winter: 

#1 They Pay Attention to the Weather Forecast

When working outside, contractors pay attention to the weather forecast. They identify potential weather-related issues so that they can prepare in advance. They also try to use daylight to their advantage and have artificial light to help if necessary. 

#2 They Protect Their Body

When working in the cold, concrete contractors usually wear multiple layers. Some also wear insulated clothes, which shield the skin from moisture, and thermal undergarments. The outer layers are waterproof and quickly removable. On their heads, they may wear a wool liner under their hard hat. 

In the winter, contractors may take more short breaks to warm up their bodies or their clothes. They may also try to get the most work done during the warmest part of the day. The buddy system also comes in handy during the winter, where partners can look out for each other. 

#3 They Protect Their Hands

Gloves are especially important in the winter. Many contractors prefer leather gloves because they’re more resistant than cotton gloves, which can get damp. When the temperature drops to less than 20 C, they may switch to mittens. However, mittens aren’t always practical for work. 

#4 They Protect Their Feet

Waterproof boots are a must in the winter. Contractors may treat their leather boots to waterproof them further and wear insulated socks. They may also wear multiple layers of socks, with the outer sock being the largest size. Some carry extra socks in case they need to work outdoors for longer periods. 

#5 They Protect Their Equipment 

After donning the proper equipment, concrete contractors also take precautions with their equipment. They avoid using cold tools because this can lead to problems. Instead, the tools are warmed up before they can contact concrete.  

Tools with metal handlebars are treated with extra caution. Metal handles are covered with an insulating material to protect workers. Usually, contractors only use equipment that’s designed to be handled with gloves or mittens. Contractors may also use powerful tools that are integrated with dust collection to avoid cutting wet. 

These are a few ways concrete contractors adapt to the winter when doing outdoor work. With the right precautions and appreciation from their clients, they get the job done correctly and safely. 

Better Colleges And Better Universities Equal Better Jobs

"Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province's most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market." Barrett image: thewordforge.com
“Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province’s most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.” Barrett Image: thewordforge.com

When I wrote this, Ontario was in the midst of an unprecedented jobs crisis and in need of sensible and affordable solutions. One avenue is to improve our colleges and universities.

Ontario’s system of higher learning must reflect the requirements of jobs in the present and the future. And it must reflect today’s economic realities.

Students recognize an academic education is often not enough – it must be coupled with employable skills. Some 80 percent of college applicants cite “career preparation” as a major reason for enrollment – something they may not have considered when they were making their post-secondary choices in high school.

The path from high school graduation to employment is often far longer and more expensive than it needs to be, thus inefficient for both the student and taxpayer.

Currently 35 percent of all new jobs in Ontario go to college graduates and apprentices, and only 26 percent go to university graduates. Many university students end up in the college system after learning how adept it is at teaching job-ready skills. To encourage more students to choose college first, we must create more options and paths for these students and improve the credit transfer system in Ontario. This would allow for part of the degree to be done at the college level and part of the education delivered through a university.

By improving the credit transfer system using online education to create bridging courses between institutions, students who take a course at one institution can be brought up to speed at another – – smoothing the move between institutions that deliver different course content. The online courses should be designed to assess whether students meet the standard at the new institution, whether they are moving from a college to a university or from a university to another university.

Language labs have shown that technology is effective for educating, distant or not. In this photo, Undergraduate Ted Glomski, a third-year Chinese student, practices writing Chinese characters on a tablet PC computer in the Learning Support Services (LSS) Language Learning Lab. For fifty years, LSS has provided technology support to language classes, evolving from the language tapes and foreign films of old to mp3s, DVDs, wikis, blogs and touchscreens. photo: Michael Forster Rothbart
Language labs have shown that technology is effective for educating, distant or not. In this photo, Undergraduate Ted Glomski, a third-year Chinese student, practices writing Chinese characters on a tablet PC computer in the Learning Support Services (LSS) Language Learning Lab. For fifty years, LSS has provided technology support to language classes, evolving from the language tapes and foreign films of old to mp3s, DVDs, wikis, blogs and touchscreens. photo: Michael Forster Rothbart

We need to be creative with programs that meet the expectations of students but also offer them at an affordable price.

In response to the growing demand for online learning, university and college programs can be taken at home using the internet. Universities and colleges do offer degree programs online that are flexible, cost effective and allow you to learn on your own time. They feature online instructors who help and provide feedback as you progress through the course.

We should encourage colleges to offer applied three-year degrees and limit the proliferation of four-year degrees in the college system. For example, a Bachelor of Applied Technology Degree is designed to teach leadership roles in the construction industry – – a program that meets a job market need, and is clearly suited to the college sector. Encouraging more three-year degrees like this one would allow colleges to cater to a student market looking for strong credentials without creeping into the degree market best served by universities.

Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province’s most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.

With these sensible and affordable solutions, improving Ontario’s colleges and universities will most certainly lead to better jobs. For the Silo, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

Supplemental- Online learning in Ontario http://www.ontariolearn.com/en/