New training facility supports safe rebuilding efforts in Fort McMurray

The Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) is celebrating the opening of a brand new training facility in Fort McMurray tomorrow, with honoured guest Mayor Melissa Blake, and hundreds of construction industry representatives, expected to explore the new ACSA Space.

ACSA chief operations officer, Tammy Hawkins, said the Association is looking forward to continuing to grow our partnerships with company owners and workers of the Wood Buffalo region during this important period of construction. Our priority continues to be in supporting the strongest safety performance and upholding company and worker certifications.

 “We are increasing our presence in the Wood Buffalo region, by providing additional safety training services and resources for the local construction community at this brand new training space in Fort McMurray,” said Ms Hawkins.

“We are also proud to provide a unique resource to the community through the work of our Wood Buffalo Regional Safety Committee (WBRSC), who are a volunteer led committee of safety representatives from across the region’s construction industry. The WBRSC meets regularly to identify regional and trade-specific health & safety issues and best practices, engaging regularly with the community.  The committee represents a passionate, committed, and hard-working group of HSE professionals.

“We, along with Mayor Melissa Blake, encourage the local construction community to join us for this free BBQ lunch and tours of the building, while getting to know our people and learn more about the WBRSC and other services your ACSA is making available to the local construction community. Attending guests will also receive an exclusive 50 per cent discount offer on their next ACSA course registration at this facility.

“We are here to support the safe and productive rebuilding of Fort McMurray and want to work with industry and government to ensure all workers have the tools to return home safely at the end of every work day,” Ms Hawkins concluded.

The opening of the new ACSA facility comes at a good time. 2,457 (8 per cent) of the 30,713 private dwellings were destroyed in last year’s fire. According to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 785 housing starts are recorded in Ft. McMurray since the beginning of the year, demonstrating the rebuild is well and truly underway, making available safety training an important priority in the construction industry.