< PreviousThe four primary hazards that Parker is speaking about are more commonly known as ‘Focus Four.’ They are the four most common causes of workplace fatalities in the construction industry and they include, falls, struck-by, caught between, and electrocutions. According to the most recent statistics (2021), these four causes of fatal injuries accounted for 634 construction workers losing their lives. This figure represents a shocking 62.5% of fatalities across the industry. When we look at longer-term trends, we see that Focus Four make up almost two thirds of all workplace fatalities over an 11-year period. With this in mind, it is no surprise to see why OSHA and ACCSH have targeted them as key aspects of ensuring safer jobsites. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was established in 1970. Since then, it has worked to decrease workplace injuries and fatalities across all industries. Its mis- sion is to “ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.” In relation to the construction industry, OSHA has produced a number of training courses designed to assist site managers and com- pany owners in training their employees. The administration has also developed Focus Four specific training which con- sists of lesson plans, checklists, and safety exercises. While this all seems to be positive engagement from political bod- ies, it is important to consider the full picture when looking at safety on the jobsite. Despite ever increasing opportunities for training and safety related funding, trending data is deeply concerning. Data from the recently published report, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011-2021 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, shows that the industry is now more dangerous than it was over a decade ago. In blunt terms, more construction workers are losing their lives while at work than they were back in 2011. When we dig into the statistics further, there is even greater cause for alarm. While more construction workers had fatal accidents in 2021 than in 2011, this most recent figure is not an outlier or anomaly. The overall figures have been getting steadily worse year on year. While OSHA has indeed provided educational materials, it seems that engagement with the material itself is not nec- essarily a guarantee. According to OSHA, trainers are not required to test students on Focus Four learning material. “Trainers may utilize the tests provided to measure each stu- dent's knowledge of the learning objectives. However, testing is not required and must not be counted toward the required student contact hours.” Additionally, there are currently no requirements for trainers to maintain test records for staff. With pressing deadlines and tight budgets, it seems that these loopholes may offer stressed business owners the opportunity to take shortcuts on safety training. When it comes to understanding the dynamics and trends of safety, we can look to another, more surprising source. The insurance industry, while not directly involved in construction, is tasked with insuring large-scale construction proj- ects and their workers. Those within this sector, therefore, are wise and insightful enough to know the level of risk involved. For Cheri Hanes, Head of Subcontractor Insurance Risk at AXA XL, worker statistics and safety figures go hand in hand. “Anytime you have churn in your workforce or even worse, a shortage of workers like we do right now, the risks increase. When you couple that with histor- ically large backlogs of work that we’re seeing across | 10 AUGUST 2023firms right now, it’s likely that it will drive some frequency of workers comp claims.” In addition to this, Hanes shared con- cerns are the quality of work being completed, adding that repetitive jobsite tasks can be opportunities for injury or worse. “If a worker without enough experience or training misunder- stands what needs to be done, an error can be repeated many, many times before it is caught.” Even anecdotally, when viewing the link between safety fig- ures and worker numbers, we see worrying possibilities. It is no exaggeration to suggest that fewer staff will inevitably result in longer working hours, shorter breaks, fatigue, and repetitive stress. According to Noel C Borck, ex-Management Co-Chairman of the Laborers Health & Safety, workplace safety is undoubtedly linked to the ongoing skilled worker shortage. In fact, he believes that without the necessary number of workers on-site, construction projects are acci- dents waiting to happen. “Although a modern construction site may seem like barely controlled chaos to a bystander, it’s actually a series of structured, planned events that are often overlapping or happening simultaneously. Contractors rely on crews of workers to each perform their tasks on time, correctly and safely to keep the entire site running smoothly and the job on schedule. That can be much more difficult to achieve if a task that would normally be completed by five workers has to be done by four or three.” This view has been echoed by contractors across North America. According to figures published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index report, 80% of contractors responded they were either highly or moderately concerned about the safety risks created by too few skilled workers on their jobsites, most likely because construction jobs require skills that contribute to a safe workplace. When asked to rank current and future top safety concerns, 58% of contractors pointed to a lack of skilled workers.” The safety picture is a concerning one on many levels. Fatal- ities are rising rather than falling and safety education and the mechanisms for ensuring these are adhered to seems to have its failings. What needs to be considered though, is the effect that staff shortages are having on jobsites from a safety perspective. More money than ever is flowing through capital projects and the private sector is continuing to recover from the pandemic enforced slowdown. With this in mind, education and attracting workers to the industry should be of paramount importance. As we can see from the figures, more –and better—staff will reduce fatalities. For that reason alone, things need to change quickly. “Education and attracting workers to the industry should be of paramount importance.” | 11 APEIRON CONSTRUCTION| 12 AUGUST 2023WRITTEN BY ERIC O’CALLAGHAN W hen Pierre (Pete) Beaucage Jr. started out 20 years ago, he was completing small-scale renovations. Though his skill and dedication have never wavered, his intent was never to grow his business to the size it is today. However, with an increasing demand for housing in the city of Timmins, north-eastern Ontario, Pete began building homes, simply put, because no one else was doing it. Fast forward to today, and this unintended business direction has led to Pete celebrating 20 years of business under the name Praztek Construction. | 13 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONCOMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL MILLWORK Closets | Kitchens | Bathrooms Laundry | Reception Desks Display Cases BURTONSFINEFURNISHINGS CA GIVE US A CALL 2493857449 For nearly 50 years, the Beaucage name in construction has represented quality, integrity, and progress. Pete has followed in the steps of his father and grandfather by prioritizing supe- rior workmanship and a commitment to service. Over the past 20 years, Praztek Construction has grown significantly and now includes professionals skilled in both design and construction management. Collectively, the team represents over 100 years of construction experience. As a full-service General Contractor that can design, build, finance, lease, equip and manage anything that can be built, Praztek Construction has been on a rollercoaster of a jour- ney. After Pete had built over 100 houses many years ago, the housing market began to slow down. Praztek Construction then ventured into developing rental properties, with some serving commercial and industrial settings, in addition to the residential market. Praztek Construction is an indigenous company and, unsur- prisingly, Pete holds great pride in being a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Businesses. With an extensive project catalogue built up over two decades, the company rightly enjoys a reputation for quality. However, in the context “Praztek Construction recently completed work on a housing complex in North Bay called the Suswin House Indigenous Friendship Centre.” | 14 AUGUST 2023of being a 100% Certified Aboriginally owned business, there are some jobs which are more meaningful than others. Praztek Construction recently completed work on a housing complex in North Bay called the Suswin House Indigenous Friendship Centre. The company built the complex as a way to help tackle homelessness in the indigenous community. With Pete’s roots stemming back to the Kootenaiu tribe from his mother’s side, projects like these are important to Praztek Construction. “I really think that this Suswin House Indigenous Centre will change a lot of lives. I had the honor to be the builder and make this dream a reality. It was a long process and it was a project that was in the planning stages for at least 10 years.” As he goes on to explain, the project may have been held up due to global events, but it offered Praztek the opportunity to showcase its flexibility and adaptability. “We actually built this during COVID and the logistics of the project got very complicated, but we managed to successfully complete it with minimal setbacks. We were very fortunate and we really pushed hard to get our product when we needed it. Some- times we had to change our plans on how we were going to get certain material or source it, but the building is beautiful and it was a pleasure to build.” | 15 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONServing Greater Sudbury, Ontario and beyond! 705-673-1126 | TBDOORS.COM HOLLOW METAL DOORS WOOD DOORS | FRAMES FINISHING HARDWARE TOILET PARTITIONS | LOCKERS WASHROOM ACCESSORIES Another project Praztek worked on was the Timmins Native Friendship Centre. The area was experiencing a housing crisis, and Praztek was hired as a contractor to design and build 18 new units for housing indigenous seniors. Although Praztek’s official involvement was with construction, the company’s input stretched considerably further than that. Praztek also assisted with the severance and rezoning of the land, along with the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and civil drawings for the project. While working on this project, a relationship based on trust was developed and for Praz- tek Construction, ongoing partnerships such as these have always been a high priority. To this day, Pete does all the maintenance for Timmins Native Friendship Centre. Helping out and giving back is not uncommon for Praztek Construction. The company is heavily involved within the local community and is often involved in charitable initiatives such as building 200 brand new apartments, sponsoring hockey teams/school events and more. With all of this philanthropic work, it is no wonder that Pete himself recently received a lifetime achievement award in business. “I was really honored that I was recognized in that aspect of business, because I do a lot of work outside of Timmins. I have projects in Ottawa. Kingston, Toronto, North Bay, Sud- bury, and Sault Ste. Marie. I was shocked that I was even noticed, because sometimes as a business owner you work a lot and you don't count the hours you do, but, needless to say, you work more than 40 hours. You don't think that people actually notice all the hard work and the sweat and tears and heart that you put into these projects.” For Pete, the honor is something that stands as concrete evidence that he is in the right field. The saying goes, ‘If you find something you love, you will never work a day in your life.’ While Pete will attest to the long hours and hard work, he believes that being focused and driven by a sense of enjoyment is hugely important. “I only found out the night of the awards that I was successful. | 16 AUGUST 2023NORTHERN ONTARIO’S BEST INSULATION CONTRACTOR PROUD TO PARTNER WITH PRAZTEK CONSTRUCTION 705-897-2805 | FUROYINSULATION.CA – Quality Service for Over 30 Years! – SPRAY FOAM INSULATION • BLOWN INSULATION BATTED INSULATION (FRICTION FIT) • TANK INSULATION MECHANICAL INSULATION • MOULD REMOVAL FIREPROOFING • FIRESTOPPING • ASBESTOS ABATEMENT INDUSTRIAL VACUUMING + PRESSURE WASHING EXTERIOR FINISHINGS • ROOFING • SIDING WINDOWS • SOFFIT & FASCIA • EAVES TROUGHS I honestly didn't think I was going to win, but I did; and it was a moment that’s hard to describe. This is my passion. It's my career, but at the same time I love what I do. It's pleasant coming to work every day, especially with the team that I have and all the different friendships that we've developed over the years with different people. It's enjoyable to go to work.” Having started the business at 25 years of age, retirement is understandably some way off for Pete. However, the company is always looking to the future. With the success achieved so far, that future looks to be a bright one. With growth always high on the list of priorities, the company expanded into western Canada after completing a hugely successful job in downtown Toronto. The project was for a government client a number of years ago and involved work that differed from the company’s comfort zone. As he has shown throughout his career, the experience proved to be an educational one with the experience helping Pete realize that Praztek can indeed thrive in areas outside its hometown. Speaking to Pete, his humility for the accomplishments of Praztek is refreshing. No matter how much the company grows or expands, it is clear to see that the humble begin- nings of this company have not been forgotten, nor have the relationships built and maintained along the way. Full of praise for his team, clients, suppliers, community and more, Pete Beaucage Jr. is a man that understands the value of working together. Having developed a successful business with skill, leadership, and compassion, it is no surprise that he has been acknowledge by his peers. “The thing is that it takes a long time to get to this level. I'm proud of that because I now have the capability to compete with the big guys. It's probably mind blowing for them too because I am from Timmins. It’s probably very rare that something like this happens. I'm very happy to have built this successful company, the great reputation, and the great connections and relationships that we have. I just want to continue to grow that.”WRITTEN BY DAVID O’NEILL I n the construction industry, ten years is a long time. Ever-changing dynamics such as the delicate balance between material shortages and emerging techniques, cou- pled with constantly challenging workforce conditions, mean that a company must be at the top of its game to survive its first decade. Even those with the skills and work ethic needed to achieve success must rely on something a little less quanti- fiable, that is the ability to see beyond the here and now. Fore- sight is a skill that few in this business possess, and the subtle act of predicting trends can be a crucial one. Furthermore, the ability to not only gauge the marketplace but act in a proactive way that enhances a business just cannot be understated. While some companies can learn this harsh lesson too late, others consider it an intrinsic aspect of how it operates. United Steel, operating out of Mississauga, ON, is one of the foremost steel fabrication and erection companies in Canada and this year celebrates ten years in the business thanks to an astute ability to work with an ever-changing landscape. For David Umut Yilmaz, Founder and President of United Steel, the company started out on a small scale before finding success. As tends to be the case, the idea for the company came through Yilmaz’s realization that he could do things to a higher level than anything else he was seeing on the mar- ket. “United Steel was established in 2013. Having worked for a small company for 7 years, I decided to start my own organization.” As Yilmaz goes on to explain, the company’s resources were slim at the time. “When things started, I had one truck and one welding machine, so I hired two guys and put a crew together.” | 18 AUGUST 2023| 19 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >