CHBA Safety Initiative Supported by Minister Lukaszuk

Lethbridge (May 19, 2011) - Canadian Home Builders’ Association—Lethbridge Region (CHBA-LR) has been hammering away at safety for the past few years.  Safety is one of the CHBA-LR’s five pillars and one way the local association makes the industry better. “Our local association and its members realized several years ago that safety has to be top of mind on our jobsites.  That is why we have taken numerous steps to help ensure our workers are safe and we will continue to work towards this goal over the next few years”-Gerrit Bezooyen, CHBA-LR Board President.

 Minister Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration, said of CHBA-LR’s 2010 Initiative, “we support your goal of bringing your suppliers and trade partners into the Certificate of Recognition Program”.  The Minister went on to offer the assistance through the Injury Reduction Program.  Bezooyen responds stating “it adds value to the work we do knowing we have the support of Minister Lukaszuk.  Together with the province we are making the industry better”.

CHBA-LR has taken steps to help members achieve the 2010 Initiative goal.  For example, the voluntary Inspected Jobsite Program; residential construction sites are submitted by members and then inspected by CHBA-LR safety committee volunteers. The program acknowledge safe sites with a passed inspection sign, it provides learning opportunities to those on site, and an opportunity to identify areas of concern so solutions can be developed.  The safety committee also hosts a number of safety courses and educational luncheons throughout the year to promote safety and bring safety awareness to everyday thinking and actions.  “Our local Safety Committee is a great resource for our members and they will do their best to assist in any way they can” says Mike Lowen, Safety Committee Board Rep.

CHBA-LR is excited about the progress made to provide safe work sites for all its members.  Together with the Ministers office, CHBA-LR is working towards making Alberta the safest province in which to work and live.