Health and Safety 2019 Click to enlarge
In 2019 we provided 3662 hours of health and safety training and hosted 76 training sessions. We hosted 607 delegates and 136 contracting firms at the 2019 safety days event. We hosted 815 students for electrical safety programs and conducted 207 formal staff safety evaluations. We responded to 8934 utility locate requests - and we responded within 5 business days, 98% of the time. We conducted 150 sewer safety inspections, with no cross bores found.

What's the context?
In 2019, managers and supervisors completed 207 formal staff safety observations.  That's 107 per cent of the required total. Three of these visits identified safety non-compliances and were addressed with the employees involved.  

Featured Department: Operations Centre

Health and Safety Awareness and Training

The Utilities Kingston health and safety management system helps to reduce accidents and injuries, ensures safe work environments, and furthers a culture of safety.

As part of this system, management provides health and safety training. Highlights for 2019 include the following:

 76

Training Sessions

 3662

Hours of Participant Training

 207

Formal Staff
Safety Observation

In 2019, multiple field staff participated in a Working at Heights refresher course to maintain their certifications. Course content included personal fall protection equipment, anchor points and rescue planning.


Public Safety Leadership Award

On March 5, the Canadian Gas Association (CGA) recognized Utilities Kingston with a Public Safety Leadership Award at its annual conference in Ottawa.  The CGA gives out three Leadership Safety awards each year to note achievements that advance the industry’s journey toward a systemic and dedicated approach to health and safety management. 

Utilities Kingston was recognized because the number of third-party “gas hits” – instances of damage to gas lines – has decreased significantly in our service area: there were 22 hits in 2016, down to nine in 2017 and 11 in 2018. 

Congratulations to all of our employees who contributed to this success! 

Back Row – Alex Westwater, Chris Gadbois, Jim Ingram, Trevor Humphries, Bryce Cavanagh, Jordan MacGillivray, Bob Badour, Mat Ridgley, John Howell, Sarah Ward Front Row – Kris Cook, Scott Smith, Mike Pritchard, Ryan Smith
You can count on our operations team for a high standard of safety! Back Row – Alex Westwater, Chris Gadbois, Jim Ingram, Trevor Humphries, Bryce Cavanagh, Jordan MacGillivray, Bob Badour, Mat Ridgley, John Howell, Sarah Ward. Front Row – Kris Cook, Scott Smith, Mike Pritchard, Ryan Smith

Making Safety the Top Priority at Kingston Worksites

The goal of the award-winning Safety Days is clear and simple: get everyone home safe every day. In 2019, 607 participants from 136 contracting firms were in attendance, growing from just 10 participants in 2005.

This innovative approach to promoting a culture of safety is recognized across Ontario, with several companies and municipalities now striving to model this event.

The 2019 keynote presentation was given by Sylvia Marusyk. Sylvia was fun, sassy and passionate about safety and health. Her entertaining presentation focused on a proactive approach to building healthy lives and workplaces.

This year's event features keynote speaker Sylvia Marusyk. Sylvia is fun, sassy and passionate about safety & health!
This year's event features keynote speaker Sylvia Marusyk. Sylvia is fun, sassy and passionate about safety & health!

Cross Bore Prevention

In 2019, we conducted 160 sewer safety inspections and did not find any cross bore occurrences. 

The cross bore prevention program is a requirement from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) that was mandated for all gas distributors in 2011. The program addresses safety precautions when clearing a blocked sewer lateral.

Utilities Kingston’s program includes communicating with plumbers and homeowners to “Call Before You Clear”. Once the call is received, staff conduct a sewer safety inspection to rule out the possibility of a sewer cross bore. Our communication and outreach program continues to increase public awareness.

A drawing showing the dangers of augering a blocked sewer line. It encourages home owners to call for a free sewer safety inspection first, at 1-800-400-2255.

Wellness Day

The annual Wellness Day event allows all employees an opportunity to speak with wellness providers in the local community in order to assist them in living a healthy lifestyle.

Thirty-six vendors took part in the 2019 event, sharing their health and wellness message with employees.  Topics included: 

  • Employee benefits 
  • Hearing tests
  • Blood pressure checks, and glucose screening
  • Physiotherapy assessments
  • Occupational safety

Summer Safety Days

Our skilled trades people connected with local young people to stress the importance of safety when playing outside. 

The 2019 Summer Safety Days event brought together over 750 grade 7 and 8 students from 14 schools in the Kingston area to learn about safety over five days. Students participated in an electrical safety presentation by Utilities Kingston employees. This presentation highlighted safety hazards associated with overhead and underground electrical lines.

Supporting Wellness in the Workplace

Mental wellness is important to the health and safety of our workplace.

With a goal to better support wellness in the workplace, in 2019 Utilities Kingston formed the Guarding Minds @ Work committee. The committee is implementing the Guarding Minds @ Work program at Utilities Kingston.

Guarding Minds is a program we chose to help us determine how to create a healthy workplace. In the road map, there are 13 factors to determine Wellness. The benefits of improving these factors may be seen both in the workplace and in our home lives. 

Ensuring the Safety of Underground Infrastructure

 8934

Locate Requests

98%

Completed Within 5 Business Days

Utilities Kingston has participated in ON1Call since 2013.  During 2019, Utilities Kingston responded to 8,934 locate requests. Our goal is to complete locates within five business days.  We achieved this 98 per cent of the time. 

Don’t take the risk of damaging underground infrastructure – get a free locate, it’s the law! That is the industry refrain that’s helped encourage an increase in requests to locate underground water, sewer, gas, electricity and fibre infrastructure.