Weed notes - Mar 27

Details

Published on Thursday, March 26, 2015

By Sid Lewis

Supervisor

Terry and I are really lucky because we have all our family within an hour from our home. Saying that, at times it is difficult to arrange a time when all of us are able to be together. Even though there are yet no grandchildren complicating affairs with extra activities, it still happens. March 13 the patriarch of the Lewis family turned 66 so on the 14th we were able to have everyone sit down for supper. Needless to say I was in my glory. While we four men were doing the “man thing” and watching the significant others do the dishes, we discussed our various careers. A common headache is the safety requirements both federal and provincial governments make us observe in our daily activities. Some rules we understand, others seem needless. 

In this job, every two years we are required to attend a safety clinic to learn any new regulations and review old areas. Then ever so often, there is a “tailgate meeting” on the job to go over all aspects. I also had to draw up a manual, keep accurate details to follow every day and store them for potential audits.

In one of the clinics I attended the instructor showed some examples of misguided actions people did and as a result, were either severely injured or worse, died. That day when he stopped at the sign at the north end of Shoal Lake, he saw workers at the Bigway grocery store, which was then in the process of being built. A worker was being lifted with the forklift, no safety cage or safety straps on him. The forklift was too short to lift him to the eave, so he jumped the extra three feet to the roof. Looking at his watch, the instructor realized if he checked up on them, he would be late, so he decided to just continue on his way. Oncoming traffic stopped him for a few more minutes, so he looked at the construction workers again. Now the person who was operating the forklift was climbing up the side of the forklift and was able to stand on the forks; he repeated the extra three-foot jump onto the roof! This was too much to look away from so the instructor phoned to say he would be late; then he went over to the site. Consequently, work was shut down and a hefty fine was given to the company. As a result, a dumber than dumber action caused more rules for everyone to observe.

The board is looking at resumes of people who have applied for the two positions in Midwest Weed District; hopefully they will be filled in a short while. When the new people will be able to start all hinges on whether they are already holding down a job and have to give the required time to their present employers. Then it is a-golfing, a-fishing, and a-drive-with-our-heavy-horse-team we will go! I have other bucket list items and so far Terry has cancelled 25 per cent of them. Oh well.

If you have any questions or concerns for this district, please call 204-764-2128.