Terms and Scenarios to Work Safely for Welders, Carpenters, Millwrights, and Lathers.
The purpose of this document is to provide a general description of safety protocols, equipment and procedures that may be applicable to health and safety for the performance of construction in Canada.
It is not intended to be and shall not be construed as a representation of all health and safety laws, regulations, bylaws and/or ordinances applicable to construction. Readers of this document and participants in the Bridge to Red Seal program are expected to familiarize themselves with all federal, provincial, and municipal health and safety laws, regulations, bylaws and/or ordinances applicable to any construction work they perform in.
This may include the completion of mandatory training at the participant’s own expense.
To enable text to speech or translation:
CSA – Canadian Standards Association: Standards designed to protect the public and improve safety.
EH – Electrical Hazard: A potentially dangerous situation that can cause injury or death.
FIT TEST – Checks if the respirator fits the worker’s face to ensure protection from airborne hazards.
FR – Flame Retardant: Clothing designed to slow flames and reduce burn severity.
LOTO – Lockout / Tagout (LOTO) is a safety procedure that should ensure energy isolation during repair.
HVSA – High Visibility (high-viz) Safety Apparel (HVSA) is required on job sites to ensure workers can be seen.
MUSTER POINT – A pre-determined area where everyone gathers in case of an emergency.
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is clothing or equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards.
SDS – Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provides information about occupational health and safety for use of products and substances.
STOP THE DROP – A saying to raise awareness about prevention and the dangers of dropped objects.
Class A: Ordinary combustibles
Class B: Flammable or combustible liquids
Class C: Electrical
Class D: Metals
Class K: Combustible cooking
Jobsite safety means being aware of dangers and taking steps to stay safe.
How to Work Safe:
Your employer will have safety rules in place.
A Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA) or Site-Specific Hazard Assessment is a safety check done before starting work. It helps identify dangers on the job site. Workers must do this before each shift or new task.
Training: Before you start a job, find out what safety training is required. You will need to show proof of training for the courses you have completed. If you do not have the training, your employer will require you to complete it before you can start working.
Here are some courses that may be mandatory on your jobsite:
Under Canadian law, you have the right to refuse unsafe work.
Unsafe work may include:
If you or someone else is in danger, stop working, and tell your supervisor right away.
Every job site you work at will have safety rules that you must follow. Company and job site rules are based on federal (Canada-wide) or provincial regulations.
Failing to follow important rules could result in injury, death, or job loss.
7 Safety Stories
Safety Barriers Are Important
At that moment, workers above are loosening bolts on a scaffold platform. A speed wrench falls out of a worker’s toolbelt and drops to the ground below.
“Watch out!” someone yells.
Alex stops just in time as the speed wrench crashes nearby. Shaken, they quickly leave the danger zone. A supervisor approaches them.
Page 24 – Scenario 2
Dressing for Winter
Solomon is new to Canada.
Solomon starts his construction job in the summer. When winter arrives, he is not prepared for the cold.
During the first heavy snowstorm, his bus is delayed due to the weather, making him late and stressed. On-site, he walks around outdoors. His boots are uninsulated, and his socks are thin. Within an hour his feet are soaked and cold. His only pair of gloves are wet from the snow. His hands are numb.
At lunch, he drinks hot coffee to try and warm up, but it’s not helping.
He is shivering and his freezing hands and feet make him clumsy. While climbing down a ladder, he loses his grip and falls, twisting his ankle. A coworker helps him get first aid.
Use CSA approved insulated boots, thick socks, and warm gloves.
Use waterproofing spray on your boots for extra protection.
Bring an extra set of clothes, so you can change if you get wet.
Wear multiple layers of clothes to keep warm.
Some companies provide winter PPE or an allowance —ask your employer.
Page 26 – Scenario 3
Keep the Worksite Clean
Jiwan is an experienced drywall worker.
Jiwan is working on a new apartment building project. He is carrying drywall sheets with a coworker. The hallway is messy, and there are boxes of drywall screws and empty energy drink cans. The air is dry and dusty from the taping crew who are sanding the drywall compound.
As Jiwan and his coworker walk, they go around boxes of trash and panels. Jiwan’s foot gets caught in an extension cord. He falls hard, dropping the drywall sheet and landing on his knees, hurting his back.
His coworker asks him if he’s ok. Jiwan says he’s fine. He doesn’t want to cause any trouble, but his back is in a lot of pain. He rests for a few minutes, but he doesn’t feel better. He tells the foreman he can’t lift sheets right now and is told to report to first aid.
Page 28 – Scenario 4
Lockout / Tagout Saves Lives
Miguel is an experienced millwright.
At a busy processing plant, a maintenance team is repairing a broken conveyor belt. Miguel, an experienced millwright, follows the lockout/tagout (LOTO) to de-energize the machine before starting the repair. Confident it’s safe, he starts working.
But he makes one serious mistake—he does not double-check that the work area and equipment are fully locked out and de-energized. As he starts the repair, the conveyor belt starts moving, pulling Miguel in. He is severely injured.
Page 30- Scenario 5
Mental Health Matters
Meet Sam, a new employee.
Sam, a new employee, is excited to start working in construction. But the crew has a “tough-it-out” mentality, making Sam afraid to talk openly about the stress or mental health challenges they face.
The experienced workers see sharing struggles as a sign of weakness. Though Sam is facing challenges, they are afraid to speak out for fear of being mocked or losing their job. Sam tries to adapt to the culture, but over time, the pressure builds.
Sam is facing stress at work, at school, and at home. Drained and exhausted, Sam struggles to focus on work. One day, while operating heavy machinery, Sam was tired and distracted which caused a serious accident that injured a coworker.
Your mental health isn’t a weakness — it’s a safety priority and is just as important as PPE, training, and equipment handling.
Page 31- Mental Health Key Lessons
Page 32- Scenario 6
Use the Right PPE!
Joy is working for a scaffolding company.
The job is to dismantle an access scaffold from the outside of the building that is under construction. On the first day, she completed safety training and received her fall protection gear, including a double lanyard “universal” men’s harness.
During work, Joy lost her footing and fell through a hole in the platform. The shock absorber worked, reducing the impact. But the leg straps on her harness broke her femur bone.
The crew was able to get her out quickly, but the injury required hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation to help her walk again. She was off work for six months, seriously impacting her income and health. She will have chronic pain for the rest of her life.
Page 33- PPE Key Lessons
If your PPE doesn’t fit, talk to your supervisor before starting work. A proper harness can prevent injuries and save lives.
Page 34- Scenario 7
Hot Work Permit; Safety First
Jeds is a new welder.
Jeds, a new welder at the shipyard, wants to prove himself and make a good impression. The team is working on an important project in dock bottom near flammable materials, and they are under pressure to work fast.
Jeds’ supervisor, Ken, is with the other welders, and Jeds wants to show that he can work quickly. He skips the required hot work permit process and starts welding. Sparks fly, and a fire ignites in a nearby garbage bin. A crew member shouts at Jeds. Ken, the supervisor, rushes to extinguish the flames.
After the fire is out, Ken brings everyone together. He explains that cutting corners can put lives at risk. Proper safety procedures must be followed for hot work. Ken takes Jeds to the safety office to file a report.
Page 35- Hot Work Permit; Safety First Key Lessons
Taking shortcuts isn’t worth the risk—proper preparation keeps everyone safe. Take your time to prepare and prevent a disaster.
Page 36 – Summary
Jobsite safety means knowing about dangers and taking steps to stay safe.
Workers should:
To help prevent accidents, workers should:
Employers are responsible for:
Required safety training may include:
Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work, such as working with dangerous machines, in unsafe conditions, or without proper training.
Following safety rules and speaking up about dangers can prevent injuries and save lives.
