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Of booms lifts, rockets and the will to innovate.
PUT A CRIMP IN
There are important differences between crimped and clamped hose assemblies.
16 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
‘Tis the season for parking lots and summer students. by Dave Mintenko
6
INDUSTRY NEWS
ABCO turns 45, free Lean education online, Jim Martin steps down...
18
GUEST COLUMN
Former CRA national chairman Jeff Campbell shares his thoughts on 35 years of association involvement.
12 LOOKING UP
Windsor’s changing market presents new opportunities to Lift Services Inc. 28 SAWS AND ABRASIVES
AND LAST by Jeff Thorne 22
Customers keeping rented equipment may not always be guilty of theft. by Deryk Coward
Power cutters, diamond coring, thin kerf blades, floor grinders, dust extraction and more...
SAFETY
Launching innovation Technology
advances when it has somewhere to go.
The Flannery family recently took the traditional Canadian trip to Florida, complete with a visit to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. I was expecting the visit to be mildly interesting, but actually found it amazingly eye-opening and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it to anyone traveling on the east side of Florida.
The technological achievements on display can’t be properly appreciated until you see their size and complexity firsthand. The crawler that carries the rockets to the launch pads weighs six million pounds and can only travel at one mile per hour, getting a thirsty 40 feet to the gallon. The Saturn V rocket that took astronauts to the Moon is on display, lying on its side in a huge exhibit hall. It’s 363 feet long and each of its five engines generates 7.5 million foot-pounds of thrust – more than all three main engines on the Space Shuttles. These are all just numbers. When you stand next to these mighty artifacts, you realize you are looking at one of the crowning achievements of American civilization, if not our entire species.
The Saturn V becomes even more amazing when you reflect on the fact that it was built in the 1960s using slide rules and transistors. The idea of initiating a similar program today, even with our far more powerful computers and manufacturing technology, does not pass the laugh test. We lack the energy and urgency that
by Patrick Flannery
the Cold War lent the project. The will simply is not there.
It was with these thoughts in mind that I looked at the surprising numbers of new lift platforms, AWPs and telehandlers launched at the spring shows and asked: Why? Or more specifically, why now? There has been a competition on lately to see who can build the highest boom lift, and some of the results are becoming downright alarming (at least, if you are as afraid of heights as I am). So I asked some lift suppliers at the shows why we are seeing this explosion of longer and longer booms. Is it something we have always needed that we can only now build? If so, what is the technological change that has made 180-foot booms possible? The question caused a lot of head scratching, but some were willing to hazard a guess or two.
On the economic front, contractors are finding that using mobile, flexible lift technology can justify the extra up-front expense versus scaffolding or fixed lifts. As the costs of manpower rise, the time lost in setting up and tearing down fixed access becomes more important. The rental industry obviously plays a key role in this. When the lift can be rented for a fraction of the purchase price, it changes the equation when deciding how to approach a job. The rental industry is indirectly driving technological change – who knew?
Another factor that came out of my conversations at the shows was the difference in how machinery is used around the world. Telehandlers are everywhere in Europe. Even most farms have one. But here, we prefer boom cranes, forklifts or loaders with various attachments. In Australia, I’m told, people use excavators for almost everything, including lifting. Using small scissors instead of ladders or scaffolding is much more common in Europe than it is here. Perhaps in our shrinking world, North Americans are seeing how others do things and rethinking their own approaches.
Finally, it was pointed out to me that one of the main applications for super-long booms is wind turbine work. Perhaps our desire for emission-free energy is creating a new imperative that will prove as motivating and transformational as the Cold War. CRS
ABCO CELEBRATES 45 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Abco Equipment and Supplies will celebrate 45 years as a familyowned business in Toronto with a month-long open house featuring weekely prize draws, coffee and snacks. Owner Charlie O’Hara started the business in 1970 very close to its present location with a selection of wheelbarrows, demolition hammers, mortar mixers, saws, drills, heaters, propane and air compressors. The fleet has expanded since into a full rental offering for homeowners and light contractors, including skid steers and scissor lifts. A selection of memoralbilia from the early days of the store will be on hand for visitors to view. Abco office manager Penny O’Sullivan will be collecting guest signatures and well-wishes to create a lasting souvenir for the business.
“It is unbelievable how fast the time has gone,” O’Sullivan said. “We feel extremely fortunate to be part of the rental industry and all it has had to offer us throughout the years. We are very grateful to all who have contributed to our success – to our customers, staff, suppliers, associations, family and friends, thank you! We look forward to the next leg of the journey with your continued support.”
MARTIN RETIRES
Multiquip has announced the retirement of longtime director of sales and operations, Jim Martin. Martin retired from Multiquip on March 31. He had been with Multiquip since July 1998.
Bob Graydon, senior vice-president, said, “Over the course of his nearly 17 years’ tenure with Multiquip, Jim has been the principal driving force in the establishment and development of Multiquip’s Canadian business. Jim’s careful guidance over the years and his steadfast attention to customer satisfaction has made Multiquip’s business in Canada an overwhelming success.”
Multiquip is continuing to invest in Canadian operations with the recent opening of a distribution center in Calgary and with an expanding sales force. Rich Sibrel will be managing the Multiquip sales force in western Canada and Tim Ardell will manage the sales force in eastern Canada. Michael Ashforth will be managing the operations in the Laval and the Calgary Multiquip locations.
SOFTWARE PARTNERSHIP
SmartEquip and Point-of-Rental Software have announced a strategic partnership to integrate their respective software platforms. This integration enables Point of-Rental Software users to receive real time, accurate parts and service support for more than 150 brands of equipment currently on the fast growing SmartEquip Network, while automating electronic parts ordering from both manufacturers and their dealers. This partnership is expected to provide Point of-Rental users a significant reduction in equipment operating costs, while increasing fleet financial utilization and rental revenue.
Participating users will receive self- updating parts, service and repair information dynamically customized down to the individual asset number for equipment in their fleets. With SmartEquip’s Network integrated into the Point-of-Rental Software, purchase orders and work orders are automatically and accurately populated. Rental company employees will see a reduction in their administrative effort, resulting in higher technician readiness, or a reclaiming of “wrench time”. Rental companies will also see immediate cost savings due to significant decreases in maintenance, service, and repair time requirements. Also, because of these higher levels of fleet readiness, rental revenues will likely increase.
“We are delighted to extend and connect our network directly into the workflow of participating Point-of-Rental users, and we take pride in aligning ourselves with the company’s progressive management team,” notes Bryan Rich, SmartEquip’s chairman and CEO. “Our companies share an unwavering commitment to creating operational efficiency, and the integration of our technologies will deliver enhanced profitability to each user.”
Greg Bennett, Point-of Rental’s vice-president of sales, said, “We are excited to be partnering with another innovative industry leader like SmartEquip. By combining their value proposition and our lean office application, rental companies stand to gain a significant edge in a competitive market.”
CES NOW CARRYING DOSKO
Dosko has announced that Construction Equipment Solutions (CES) of Pickering, Ont., will provide distribution and rental support for Dosko’s line of stump grinders, brush chippers, chipper/mulchers and log splitters in Ontario.
“We are very excited to distribute Dosko for the rental market in Ontario,” said Kim Wiles, president of Construction Equipment Solutions.
CES has been in business for 24 years as an equipment distributor to the rental industry. They offer an extensive and diverse range of products for all seasons.
FIVE APPOINTMENTS AT ATLAS COPCO
Atlas Copco Construction Equipment recently appointed five managers to lead its expanding road construction division.
Brian Bieller [pictured] is vice-president and road construction equipment business line manager. Steve Cole works as the distribution business development manager. Tim Hoffman serves as the heavy compaction equipment product manager. Jonathan Oney is paving and milling equipment product manager and Imelda Moon is the equipment parts product manager.
“Our division is expanding to provide quality products and unparalleled support for our growing dealer network, rental partners and end-users,” said Erik Sparby, Atlas Copco Construction Equipment president and general manager. “The new appointments ensure that we are backing our customers during this exciting growth at all levels of production, from equipment design to aftersales support.”
The five managers have more than 90 years of combined industry experience, and in their individual roles, ensure Atlas Copco’s dealers, rental companies and end users have the best experience. Bieller is responsible for all compaction, milling and paving equipment brands and channels for Atlas Copco. Additionally, he is responsible for parts, consumables and aftermarket support within the RCE division. He previously served as Atlas Copco’s vice-president of business development, and he has more than 20 years of experience within the construction industry.
Hoffman and Oney’s roles involve growing the RCE division product lines, which include compaction, milling and paving equipment, and maximizing support for dealers and contractors. They also will advise Atlas Copco’s newproduct development teams with market information, product knowledge and sales strategies for the U.S. market to expand Atlas Copco’s breadth of products and find key industry opportunities. Hoffman has more than 20 years of experience working for several large equipment dealers and will manage the heavy compaction product line, which includes soil and asphalt rollers. Oney will manage RCE’s paving and milling products and is known by his peers for quality service and dedication. Oney’s previous role with Atlas Copco was with the RCE division as a technical support manager. In that role, his coworkers awarded him RCE’s 2014 Lead Contributor of the Year for his service and commitment to its customers.
Moon will work with Atlas Copco’s product centers, distribution warehouses, sales channels, as well as dealer and rental partners.
NEW CEO AT VOLVO
The board of directors of AB Volvo has decided to appoint Martin Lundstedt, 47, president and CEO of the Volvo Group. Lundstedt will assume his position in October 2015. His most recent role is as president and CEO of the Scania Group. Jan Gurander, the group CFO, will be acting president and CEO in the interim. Lundstedt will replace Olof Persson who has led the group for almost four years.
“Olof Persson has with energy and determination carried out an extensive change of the Volvo group,” says CarlHenric Svanberg. “He has focused Volvo on commercial vehicles and sold unrelated businesses and assets to a value of over $2.4 billion. He introduced a functional organization and paved the way for cost savings of $1.2 billion. He also concluded the agreement with one of China’s largest truck manufacturers, Dongfeng and led the company during the largest product renewal in the group’s history. Today the Volvo group is considerably better positioned to compete for leadership in our industry.”
Lundstedt has spent his career at Scania. He joined in 1992 as a trainee after obtaining an MSc in Industrial Management and Technology. He has held a number of executive positions.
CORRECTION
In the report on the Ontario Canadian Rental Association conference in our May issue, American Rental Association CEO Christine Wehrman’s name is misspelled. Canadian Rental Service regrets the error.
Brian Bieller, vice-president and road construction equipment business line manager
The all-new Boxer® 900HD is the culmination of two years of preparations to build the most powerful and capable mini-skid steer available in the market. Designed from the ground up, the 900HD includes many class-leading features previously found only on full-size skid-steer models:
• 48-HP (36 kW), Tier 4 Final diesel engine with Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) that does not require after treatment
• 94" hinge pin height allows easy dumping over a 6' box side
• 939 lb. rated operating capacity (at 35% tip capacity)
Wide Range of Attachments
Like other Boxer models, the 900HD accepts an expansive range of attachments for digging, lifting, carrying and placing materials—to knock out whatever work you have to do!
www.BoxerEquipment.com
NEW DISTRIBUTION BOSS FOR ECHO
Echo Incorporated has announced that Ed Zynomirski has been promoted to the position of vice-president of corporate distribution effective immediately.
Zynomirski became president of Echo Power Equipment (Canada) in 2005 and has since led the company to year-after-year, recordbreaking sales growth during his tenure.
Under his leadership Echo Power Equipment (Canada) has become recognized as a leading distributor of outdoor power equipment in the Canadian marketplace. In his new role, Zynomirski will be responsible for overseeing the operations, sales and marketing efforts of Echo’s company-owned distributors across North America. He will also develop a strategic distribution platform for the company based on optimizing sales, improving scalability and managing costs. He will continue in his role as president of Echo Power Equipment (Canada) and will divide his time between London, Ont., and Rocklin, Calif., as part of his new position.
FREE ONLINE RESOURCE TEACHES LEAN METHODS
A comprehensive online resource from Creative Safety Supply teaches companies the 5S industrial organization system associated with Lean business methods. Through videos, text and diagrams, visitors are linked to extensive information on how to Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize and Sustain their work environments for maximum efficiency.
“We have worked very hard to put together an extremely valuable resource on 5S. 5S is the system developed in Japan during their industrial explosion to make manufacturing facilities, warehouses and other facilities more efficient and safer,” said Alice Todd of CSS. “We believe it is the most comprehensive page on the internet about 5S. It has everything an organization needs to implement a 5S program, to make themselves more efficient and profitable.”
The site can be found online at creativesafetysupply.com
BRITCO WINS MODULAR HOUSING AWARD
Britco took home two awards at the Modular Building Institute (MBI) Awards held in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 16. The expansion of the office space at Britco’s Agassiz modular construction facility won them top honours in the category of Permanent Modular Office. Designed to be easily expanded as space is needed, the office building features vaulted boardroom ceilings and modern finishes. Recognized in the category of Permanent Modular Retail or Hospitality, Britco’s Bank of Montreal branch in High Level, Alta., offers customers in this remote community access to full-service banking, including a bank vault, private offices, an ATM and a large banking hall.
The MBI is the trade association representing companies in Canada, the United States and 14 other countries involved in the construction and distribution of commercial modular buildings. Entries were reviewed by an impartial panel of industry and non-industry construction and code experts, architects and engineers, and marketing professionals. Building entries were judged on architectural excellence, technical innovation and sustainability, cost effectiveness, energy efficiency and calendar days to complete.
COMING EVENTS
June 2
CRA Alberta Golf Tournament Red Deer, Alta. 8 crarental.org
Aug. 16
CRA Atlantic Fun in the Sun Golf Day Hatchet Lake, N.S. 8 crarental.org
BC Regional Trade Show Langley, B.C. 8 crarental.org
Feb. 22
The Rental Show Atlanta, Ga. 8 therentalshow.com
Feb. 28
Atlantic Regional Trade Show Moncton, N.B. 8 crarental.org
March 8 - 9
Canadian Rental Mart Toronto, Ont. 8 canadianrentalmart.com
March 10 -11
Quebexpo Laval, Que. 8 associationlocation.com
ACROSS THE INDUSTRY, from equipment and party rental businesses to equipment suppliers and service providers, we all face a single overarching challenge – finding the next generation of innovative, dedicated talent to drive the industry forward. Join us in celebrating that talent! Recognizing the next generation of the Canadian rental industry!
Canada is full of young, skilled and knowledgeable people who are driving the rental industry forward. From mechanics and store managers, sales representatives and event planners, they are the best and brightest in our industry. Join us as we celebrate the future of rental in Canada.
The Canadian Rental Service Top 10 Under 40 will recognize the achievements of the newest generation of rental industry owners and workers. Strong work ethics, leadership by example and efforts to grow the quality of our industry will be acknowledged.
NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Nominations are now closed and our panel of judges are going over the candidates. The results will be announced in the August issue.
Check out our Top 10 Under 40 website: www.canadianrentalservice.com
The Top 10 Under 40 will be featured in the August edition of Canadian Rental Service magazine.
by JIM CHLIBOYKO
BUSINESS LOOKING UP
Specializing in high lifts works in Windsor.
It’s not every year one gets to celebrate the 10th anniversary of one’s own business. But Lift Services Inc. has been giving Windsorites a boost for the past decade, as of this upcoming August.
Bob Gross is the man behind LSI. When he first got into the rental industry back in 1989, little did he know that one day he would be in the high-altitude aerial business.
“I’m in the aerial platform business and I don’t even like heights,” he said.
It was fairly early on in his career in rental that Gross decided he wanted to specialize in the aerial side of things, as well as covering other niches, such as forklifts and industrial cranes. He had managed the startup of another company in 1992, which was sold to another firm, which eventually became part of NES Rentals. That lasted until NES decided to get out of Canada.
“In 2005, NES, who was just coming out of bankruptcy protection, they shut down their Canadian operation,” said Gross. “I knew it was still a very good potential market, especially with my history with the automotive plants. I had a good base to start off with and teamed up with our sister company, KMJ Machinery Movers. It melded together very well.”
Along with KMJ, LSI has a sister company relationship with the design-and-build firm Matassa as well as KMJ Machinery Transport. For training and safety education, LSI has aligned itself with local company Majors McGuire.
Today, the LSI headquarters is located just south of the Windsor Airport and within a short drive north to the Ambassador Bridge to Detroit. It deals in both new and used equipment as well as renting out pieces from their vast collection. The side of their North Talbot Road building boasts both LSI and KMJ signs. Gross keeps a fairly trim business himself,
with fewer than 10 employees. He’s got an assistant, a technical sales representative, several mechanics, a yardman, a tractor-trailer driver and himself. LSI isn’t exclusive to just Windsor. It serves Chatham, Leamington, London and Sarnia, as well, but has been known to go further afield. LSI has found a niche for itself in the southwestern Ontario as one of the only independently owned aerial and lift specialists in the area.
Gross himself is originally from Brampton, Ont. He lives in Windsor with his wife, who works at the courthouse downtown. His four grown boys are very much Windsorites, even in their hockey loyalties. Like a lot of people from the area, they cheer for the Detroit Red Wings, whereas Gross remains a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. It remains to be seen where Gross’ sevenyear-old grandson’s loyalties will eventually land.
Of course, every business is, in part, sculpted by their local economy. Windsor’s economy has been up and down for the past few years, often tied to the status of the automobile industry. But there are other things happening in the area that Gross has tapped into, like the wind farm industry and the DRIC (Detroit River International Crossing) project. Many of the larger projects that happen in the area mean a demand for rentals. Enter LSI.
And because of his connections (Gross often uses the word ‘connections’), there are other gigs that come up for LSI, too.
“Again, because of connections, I’ve been able to do work for Samsung throughout the Future Shop chain (before they closed) from coast to coast, from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island,” he said. “We arranged all
Looking down from the top of a 80-foot boom is not for the faint of heart.
the rentals for them (for setting up their displays).” Another high-profile event for LSI was the RedBull aircraft races, where the company supplied lift rentals and organized trucking in and out.
So, cars. When one talks to Bob Gross, you realize that he’s pretty deeply in tune to the cadence of the auto industry, with its schedule of plant re-toolings and re-openings, and that it’s all become part of his business’ circadian rhythm. It’s a natural fit for Gross, who has an interest in classic cars himself. His pride
and joy is a 1969 Chevelle SS. LSI’s big clients are generally Ford and Chrysler and the company has done some work for Toyota in the past, too. Then there are all the suppliers and parts manufacturers, like Nemak, with which LSI has also done business. Whenever the auto executives determine a new use for a factory, or even just decide that they need to change things up in a facility in order to manufacture a new model, that means a change is in order, things need to be moved and machinery needs to be
brought in. Every one of these renovations means a demand for rentals and that means business for LSI.
“There’s not a lot of building (of new buildings) going on, but because of the re-tooling of the Windsor minivan factory, there’s a lot contractors working there,” said Gross. “That’s been going on since the second week of February and won’t be done until after the long weekend in May. Then there’s another shutdown in July and another in December.”
“Ford’s very entrenched here. We’re
doing a lot of work with the Ford engine plants here as well.”
Gross had just been about three years into LSI when the 2008 economic downturn hit and, as was well documented, it hit the automobile industry particularly hard.
“It wasn’t smooth going in the beginning with (the downturn),” said Gross. “We lost the GM transmission plant but a lot of things fell into place and it worked out really well.”
As to why LSI has been able to assert itself so well with the auto companies, Gross says, “they know what we’ve got to offer them, they know that they can count on us and they know we can find them the odd equipment that no one else can. Like 100,000-pound forklifts.”
General Motors has gradually down-
Above:
Left: Shelley Letteri, Jason Joyce and Deanna Szpak take a ride to the top of Windsor. The high weight capacity of the new lifts creates more possibilities for contractors.
sized in Ontario in recent years, while Ford and Chrysler are still contributing to the local economy. To get a sense of how deeply immersed his business is with the local plant refurbishings, Gross drops a couple of numbers.
“I have 260 pieces of equipment there on the Chrysler site, including 40 golf carts,” he said. How does he keep it all straight? “I’ve got a good computer system and a good team of people.”
Gross also sees himself as a bit of a pioneer in the aerial sector in his part of the world.
“When I was in the business 20 years ago, I brought in one of the first 60-foot booms in Ontario,” he said. “I was also one of the first to bring in a 125-footer, and a 135, and I was one of the first ones to bring in a 180.”
But, of course, it’s not all just cars. The 180-foot booms are important for another reason, besides their height. They are specifically designed for Ontario’s burgeoning wind farm industry. Gross tosses the figure of “180” out fairly casually. When you get a chance to see even a simple picture of exactly how visually far off the ground a 180-foot boom is (or what the ground 180 feet away looks like from a fully extended platform), you may gain a new respect for people who actually operate the things.
Said Gross, “Because of our connections, last year, we had seven 180-foot booms out in the southwestern Ontario market, working on wind towers.”
Then there are sales, too, though that is only a corner of his business. “We are representatives for Genie, JLG, Skyjack, Snorkel and Starke,” he said.
Gross says that his business is about 90 per cent rental and 10 per cent sales.
“People want to rent. But when people realize they can get pieces that are serviced, why buy? It’s too capital intensive.”
As for his company’s tin anniversary, Bob has been too busy to think about preparing anything at this point.
“I’ve been so busy, and haven’t had a chance to do anything for it,” he says, which isn’t a bad problem to have, after all. CRS
LSI ships out a Genie Z-80/60. Gross’ clients have been known to rent as many as three at a time.
SPRING POTPOURRI
Warm weather brings new challenges.
by DAVID MINTENKO
Happy spring to all! It certainly looks like spring has sprung in good ol’ Winnipeg. Weather has been pretty darn fine – just praying we haven’t peaked early. As I contemplated what to write for this column (valiantly fighting off writer’s block), I settled for a bit of a potpourri of topics to touch on.
With the warmer weather and signs of spring we start thinking about spring cleanup. Keeping our place of business neat is an everyday battle, but particularly through the winter months. Winter weather restricts a lot of outdoor renovations, cleaning and overall general upkeep. Spring is a great time to analyze a multitude of items. It’s time to see if your outside parking and storage areas are level. Uneven surfaces need resurfacing and refilling. Maybe your parking lines require repainting. Are all signs clean and legible? Does your building need repainting or re-siding? Take a look to see how your electrical outlets and fixtures weathered the cold. Building roofs, loading ramps, over-height signs, perimeter fencing and security systems should all get an inspection, not to mention the equipment that is usually stored outdoors. These are just a few of the items that need to be on your checklist.
With all the students about to finalize their school year after exams, this is a great time to hire that part-time summer employment and have those individuals help you with your spring cleanup. Not only will it keep your more experienced people focused on their revenue-driving tasks (repairing, renting and driving), but you will be providing employment to individuals who require jobs. Who knows? Perhaps these individuals will become future long-term employees. I highly recommend student employment. Through the years I have taken on many students who have turned rentals into a career. Many of them are still with our organization today.
Dave Mintenko is senior branch manager of Hertz Equipment Rentals in Winnipeg and national president of the Canadian Rental Association. He has been in the rental business for 35 years.
The warmer weather produces more outdoor activity both in the workplace and of a personal nature. One of the major items that tends to get overlooked is safety. Let’s call it summer safety. Procedures, policies and tasks that are carefully adhered to in winter months can fall prey to shortcuts with better weather. Spring is a great time to re-emphasize outdoor safety. Make sure that proper footwear, headgear, eyewear and clothing are all being used. Above all, with the hot weather approaching, make sure your employees wear proper sun guards, sunscreen and keep hydrated throughout the day.
Also ensure that outdoor housekeeping is as finally tuned as the indoor conditions are.
Along with springtime comes time to re-focus on your locals and set up the schedule for the upcoming year. It makes it much easier for everyone – directors and members – if you are able to have set dates for spring flings, barbecues, golf tournaments and ball games; fall dates for Annual General Meetings; and winter dates for Christmas parties. Attendance from members will be much stronger if they are able to mark specific dates on their calendars. Follow-up reminders such as phone calls or face-to-face drop-ins serve as a real personal touch and greatly enhance participation at these functions.
One other point to touch on is the elections that have taken place, or will soon, at a few of the locals. Membership drives tend to be a major task within our locals. Bringing in new blood to fulfill a succession plan is always a challenge. I urge you to look not only within your place of business but to your competitors as well. How many times have you met an individual at one of your local board functions from a supplier or competitor who would be a great fit for your local, but are overlooked within their organization. Sometimes it takes an outside eye and a poke in the ribs to that person’s superior for them to realize and agree that this individual would be a welcome addition. I can attest to this personally. I also encourage you to use CRA head office as a valuable resource for recruiting new and old members. Our staff, Nathalie and Jenna, are tireless workers with great ideas, suggestions, planning and initiatives. CRS
A high return
Investing time in the association has paid off.
by Jeff Campbell
In business, the goal is always to get out as much or more than you put in. After 35 years of involvement with the Canadian Rental Association, and many hundreds of hours volunteered as an executive at all levels, I can tell you that participation in your rental organization is an investment that pays off. My small store and my professional career would not be where they are today without the friends I made and the experiences I had inside the CRA. The benefits have been huge, and direct.
Years ago, shortly after St. Thomas Rent-All opened, the county approached me looking for a 12-inch wood chipper. I didn’t have them at the time. I had met Paul Van Staveren [Stayner Rental] at one of the shows and they could not rent them in the winter because they get too much snow. I ended up renting his chipper for three or four years and both of us made money on it, then I got into buying them and renting them myself. Stayner is 200 kilometers away from here – I never would have met Paul any other way.
A while back the province started getting down on propane heaters, saying you couldn’t use them indoors. When guys started coming around in the fall looking for heat, a lot of the other guys in the area were scrambling around trying to figure out what to do. But I had already done my research using the information the association provided, and was able to tell them about indirect heat. Because I’d gone to the meetings, I was in indirect heaters four or five years ahead of everybody. Then I got to develop the local market because I already had them.
When you take on executive roles, you have a chance to see more of what is behind the scenes, what is involved with training for propane or high reach stuff, for instance. Your knowledge in these areas is cemented, because you get a glimpse of why certain things are the way they are. It is like anything. You can coast along, getting by, or you can be more involved and get more out. And when you get more involved, before long people are coming to you looking for your opinion. And when you are giving your opinion, you get their opinion. It broadens your horizons well beyond little St. Thomas, or where ever you are.
Involvement at the national level was really good for raising my store’s profile. One benefit is getting to know the suppliers’ national managers – people you would rarely see any other way. They can give you the big picture and insight on the technology that you won’t get anywhere else. One example is Weber compactors. They are big in the West and big in the East, but not so big here. And now we carry them. The way we do heat in Ontario is fairly basic. By talking to people from the West and finding out how they do heat there, I have been able to bring that knowledge back and become the go-to guy for my customers. And when I don’t have the knowledge firsthand, I know who to go to and ask, and they will take my phone call.
I know at least the last four or five presidents of the national association have expanded their businesses as a result of the knowledge and connections they made through the association. You really can’t help it when you are given so many opportunities to improve. You know what products to buy, you know what is going to go. We made big strides here as a small shop and it wasn’t scary at all because you know what to do and how to do it. At the national level, you get to meet both the big multi-million dollar organizations and the little guys and find out how they buy products and do store layout, for instance.
My father started taking me to CRA meetings in the ‘70s and he always said that if you surround yourself with successful people, some of it is bound to rub off. The people you meet in the association are more dedicated to the rental business the higher you go. The amazing thing is, anyone can do it. No matter how small you are, through the association you can get to the point, as I did, where you are sitting at dinner with rental store operators from around the world at the Global Rental Alliance. The thing you realize is that no one is any different from anyone else and that, whatever your challenges, you are not alone. CRS
Jeff Campbell owns St. Thomas Rent-All. He has been involved with the Canadian Rental Association for 35 years and recently completed his term as national chairman.
MINI-MIGHT.
The n new Ditch Witch® SK750 annd SK755 are b built to outper form on any j jobsite. Both models feature a high-drive track system along with an enhanced o operator statioon, delivering superior per forrmance throuugh increased ground clearannce, more e lif t caapacit y, faster ground speed, , longer track life, and more operator comfor t. And these e new SK mini skid steers send more horseepower to the attachment thhan any comppetitor. That’s a lot of might f from a small l machine! Count on Brandt f for quality y produuc ts and the support to help keep you u produuc tive and prof itable, job aftter job. That ’ ’s Power ful Value. Delivereed.
PUT A CRIMP IN IT
Crimping instead of clamping – what’s the story?
For centuries, hose distributors have been attaching fittings and couplings to hoses with methods that date back to our ancestors. Back when the only hoses around were leather ones used on the fire department wagon, wire was used to keep the original pin lug coupling in the hose.
by BRENT STONE, NATIONAL HOSE
LEFT: Proper burst testing with machinery like this is the only way to officially certify the entire hose and coupling assembly. Beware of separate ratings for couplings and fittings – they do not mean the whole system is rated for a specific pressure.
Finally, in just the last 20 years, we have moved beyond such antiquated technology. Today’s innovation uses crimp-specific industrial hose fittings, couplings, ferrules and sleeves, creating permanently attached fittings to hoses for a 100 per cent leak-free assembly. Gone are the days when a distributor would use a hodge-podge of different manufacturers’ products banded together and hope for some level of performance. Safety and liability were laid solely with the distributor assembling the hoses and end users expected that leaking and failure were inevitable.
A need in our industry for better performing hoses – ones that would be safer for end users and increase process efficiency – was evident. Crimpnology provided hose distributors with the product innovations and the crimping
system to create hose assemblies that would perform under higher pressures, higher temperatures, and not leak while in service. Today, crimped hose systems are becoming much more common than the traditional banded or bolted assemblies we all grew up with – but don’t be fooled, all crimped hose assemblies are not the same!
A hose assembly is made up of three components: the hose, a fitting or coupling, and an attachment method. The overall rating of such an assembly must be rated to the lowest component. For example, if a jackhammer hose has 300 psi printed on the layline as a working pressure and uses a universal coupling (a.k.a. Chicago coupling), there is already an issue. Disregarding the attachment method for a moment, the universal coupling is only
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rated to 150 psi. Therefore, labeling the entire assembly 300 psi is a mistake. Using this hose in a 300 psi application would be unsafe and could potentially cause an accident. Now add in the factor of clamping the universal coupling on to the hose. The sum of those three components would be zero. Why? Because clamping a fitting or coupling on to a hose does not create a permanent attachment. Therefore, you cannot assign a clamped assembly a pressure rating. The question becomes: how tight is tight enough for a pre-formed clamp? Clamping just not a repeatable way to attach fittings and couplings to hoses and will not ensure industry-mandated safety factors are met consistently.
Using today’s innovative technology, hose distributors can now create hose assemblies using fittings and couplings specifically engineered to be crimped with pre-calculated specs provided by the manufacturer, thereby creating permanently attached, leak-free hose systems. These hose systems can be assigned a pressure rating which carries a minimum
safety factor, designated by the National Association for Hose and Accessories
Distribution’s Hose Safety Institute.
Pressure ratings vary greatly from fitting to fitting, also taking into account the type of hose construction and the specific attachment method. For example, a sleeve will have less holding power on a hose than a ferrule, because a ferrule creates a mechanical interlock with the fitting, allowing for higher pressures to be
achieved while in service. Also, older coupling serration designs do not allow for crimping. The old style, two-bump camand-groove was designed to be banded, not crimped. NAHAD recommends using newer fitting technology that employs multiple serrations throughout the length of the shank, which maximizes sealing and retention.
The process of crimping sleeves and ferrules on to hoses is surprisingly
Clamped assemblies will just about always leak eventually.
straightforward. However, not having the appropriate type of components or failure to follow a process mandated by the manufacturer may generate poor results. A procedure of hose measurement will guide the distributor in using an industrial hose crimper to squeeze the ferrule or sleeve on to the hose to a pre-calculated specification. Verifying that the final crimp is to within the manufacturer’s tolerance range is critical to success. Only after completing all the necessary steps can a distributor be confident that a hose assembly will perform to the manufacturer’s published pressure ratings.
Other application factors that will affect the performance of the hose assembly, such as elevated temperature (of either the media or the environment) will also be critical to the understanding and expectation of what a particular assembly can and can’t do. Please refer to a reputable and trusted hose distributor, with all of the pertinent STAMPED data, in order to ensure proper identification of an application and what the
safest and most efficient hose and fitting combination is. STAMPED data is an acronym that encompasses all the information related to a specific application –Size, Temperature, Application, Media, Pressure, Ends, and Delivery.
CRIMPNOLOGY, IT’S NOT JUST CRIMPING
CanRental Apr 2015_Layout 1 3/9/15 11:45 AM Page 1
As the industrial hose markets continue to demand better performing, more reliable hose systems, critical applications have seen the most success. Those applications that involve steam, high-pressure air, chemical transfer or other higher pressures and temperatures have quickly seen the value of increased safety and process improvement. When a failure occurs with these applications, people may often be injured. But what about the other negative effects, such as costs related to clean-up, property and environmental damage, process downtime, even fines or shutdowns. In a world dominated by liability, you cannot afford an accident.
But what about those less critical applications? Even those applications with lower pressures like water suction and discharge have embraced the benefits of crimping technology. Some may say that a jackhammer hose is not dangerous. Have you ever seen one whipping around a job site? Ever known someone to be injured by one? Even water transfer can create headaches in places where leaking is unacceptable. Crimping on layflat and mill hose solves the problem of continually leaking banded assemblies. Plus, no more clamp buckles to cut the operators’ hands or gloves. Mounting process costs apply to these applications as well when hoses don’t perform as needed.
Training is also a large part of creating successful crimped assemblies. Without a clear understanding of how to properly assemble and crimp the correct hoses for the right applications, failures can still happen. Just because a company says they can crimp hose, doesn’t mean they have the education or the commitment
INNOVATION • QUALITY • CONSISTENCY
to crimp responsibly. Be thorough when assessing a hose distributor to crimp hoses for your application.
While the investment in an industrial crimper is significant, the cost of crimpable fittings, ferrules and sleeves is not unreasonable. There is always a cheaper option available somewhere. But the true savings are realized by not having a failure. It’s the challenge of price versus cost. Of course a cheaper price sounds great in the short term, but what are the
hidden costs of a failed assembly? What about the loss of one’s reputation? As the old adage goes: if you think safety is expensive, try an accident.
Hose assemblies that are leak-free, perform under pressure and get the job done is the ultimate goal. The proof of how an assembly will perform is in the testing. Only premier manufacturers can stand by the performance of their fittings and couplings. A common problem is the pressure ratings (sometimes only
recommendations) that some companies publish. Typically, those ratings only refer to the fitting or coupling itself. However, these are hose fittings, meaning they aren’t any good without attaching them to the hose in some fashion. A banded hose has no pressure rating. However, a bolt-clamped assembly can carry a rating, but only when the clamp is torqued to the manufacturer’s specifications. Any loosening or over-tightening of these bolts negates that rating. According to most manufacturers, bolt clamps need to be re-tightened after every use. That means every day. So the assembly you just bought and paid for probably already needs to be re-tightened by the time you take delivery of it. Over time, the application pressures, thermal-cycling and environmental factors
can lead to the continual loosening of bolts on a clamp and create leaking and poor hose performance. Without re-tightening, leaking will continue to become worse and eventually lead to a fitting ejection.
Crimpnology creates a permanent attachment between the fitting and the hose for a leak-free assembly. Then pressure ratings are assigned based on both the fitting and the attachment (ferrule/ sleeve). Only through extensive burst testing can a manufacturer or distributor truly stand behind their ratings and product. This testing is also the basis for creating and verifying the crimp specs that the distributor uses to crimp each assembly. No guesswork here, just science! CRS
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
With low vibrations below 2.5 meters-per-secondsquared and a fuel-sipping X-Torq engine, the time-tested Husqvarna K 760 is not
your average power cutter. These features, along with a high power-to-weight ratio, contribute to optimal ergonomics and control. The lightweight magnesium blade guard makes cutting easier and helps reduce vibrations. A step-less adjustment means operators can easily change cutting position. The progressive water valve allows exact adjustment of the water volume, reducing water consumption and slurry. The cylinder delivers more efficient combustion, which combined with extra cooling fins reduces emissions by 15 per cent and makes the
machine less sensitive to variations in climate and fuel.
The fuel tank is designed for good air supply and preventing dust from entering, meaning more reliable operation and longer intervals between servicing. A digital ignition system makes the cutter easier to start. The ignition is optimized for smoother engine performance, which means reduced vibrations and strain on the user. The K 760 is suited for cutting concrete and stone in construction work, and for making smaller openings for window and doors. It also works well when cutting pavers in landscaping.
Designed to be simple to understand and easy to use, the DD 150-U diamond coring system from Hilti allows the operator to drill by hand or with a core stand in wet or dry conditions The new DD
150-U has a six-inch capacity for drilling the most popular sizes of holes for anchoring, blind holes and through holes. This system can handle a variety of base materials from reinforced concrete to brick, concrete block and natural stone. Performance is optimized in the wet drilling mode and the system works well for rig-based drilling in concrete for pipe penetrations in plumbing, heating and air conditioning installations, for cable trays and ducts and for the installation of railings and barriers. The DD 150 is also a suitable choice for setting large diameter anchors and reinforcing bars that require hand-guided wet drilling. It can be switched to dry drilling when necessary for hand guided, dry drilling applications such as drilling in masonry for pipe penetrations in plumbing, heating and air conditioning installations and chimney and stove vent installations. And on dry applications where dust is a concern, the Hilti dust removal system may be used. The DD 150-U features high motor performance and reliable three-speed gearing for optimum drilling speeds. It also has a 360-degree adjustable side handle with integrated dust and water management functions. It can be ordered with a standard 1 ¼-inch threaded chuck or with a quick connect chuck that does not require the use of any tools to remove the core bit.
PATTERNED DIAMOND TECHNOLOGY
8 lackmond.com
Lackmond Products has introduced the STS-6 multi-application diamond blade. Diamond blade technology is evolving, and part of the new evolution in the
manufacturing process is pattern diamonds, where the diamonds in the cutting segment or rim are arranged in a specific order resulting in consistent wear and much longer life. In addition, the need for a real multi-application diamond blade that cuts a variety of materials equally well has been growing. A true multi-application blade provides the contractor more versatility on different jobs without over-investing in an assortment of various blades. Lackmond Products has realized these two needs and added this newest addition to the STS family. Lackmond’s STS-6 is a true multi-application diamond blade using patterned diamond technology. Lackmond’s generation-patterned diamond technology is an advanced patterned diamond process that evenly aligns the diamonds into rows within the blade’s segment. This precise alignment ensures the maximum amount of diamonds contacting the cutting surface at any given moment. The net result is a diamond blade with consistent segment wear rate and approximately 30 per cent more footage. The blade is made with a specially designed bond matrix for effective use across multiple applications and varying aggregate hardnesses. It delivers exceptional performance in softer base materials. The STS-6 includes undercut protection segments and a
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CLIENT : Orion Software
PROJET : Annonce magazine SiriusE_1/6 page
RÉQUISITION : –
NOM DU FICHIER : 1720-OrionSoftware_SiriusE_Ad
ÉPREUVE : 01_FINAL
MODIFIÉ LE 12/02/2015
INFOGRAPHISTE : Marjolaine Gagnon
Bien que tous les efforts aient été mis en œuvre pour éviter toute erreur, s.v.p. bien vérifier cette épreuve. Notre responsabilité se limite au remplacement des
CYAN MAGENTA JAUNE NOIR
.400-inch usable diamond depth. The slanted core design allows for maximum cutting speed. The pre- and post-tensioned core eliminates loss of tension. The STS-6 is available in 14-inch blade diameter.
JUST PLUG IT IN 8 edcoinc.com
The new EDCO DDG9 directdrive grinder incorporates a combination of power and simplicity. The power source is directly connected to the grinding accessories to provide maximum power for production. The 110volt grinder is designed for reduced maintenance with fewer parts to service and no belts to replace. Customers can simply plug it into a residential wall outlet and begin working. It is built like a small grinder, but works like a large one. At only 80 pounds, it easily fits inside car trunks. Rental stores can add an EDCO Vac-200 for optimal dust suppression. The DDG9 is suitable for resurfacing at hundreds of square feet per hour, removing hard coatings, smoothing rough surfaces, working in compact areas and can manage some edge grinding applications.
NO SUCTION LOSS
8 rentquip.com
Distributed by Rentquip Canada, the Nacecare line of fine dust vacuums is ideal for rental applications in which the user is cutting or grinding fine-dust materials. Nacecare offers two models: a five-gallon NDS-570 and a 12-gallon NDD-900. Both units include a hose, wand, floor tool and a number of universal adapters which make connecting to a tool very simple. These machines are specially designed for use with concrete dust, drywall dust, wood dust and chimney soot along with just about any other fine non-explosive particulate that can harm the respiratory system. They meet or exceed all OSHA regulations regarding silica crystalline recovery as a repairable dust under OSHA regulation 1910.1000. The patented air-
flow technology used in the design of the tank ensures a consistent, uninterrupted flow regardless of how full the bag is. Both units come equipped with an indicator light that will flash when the vacuum bag is full. At the end of the day simply lift the vacuum bag out of the tank. Customers can now reduce the amount of dust in the air by 99 per cent or greater with no clean up hassles.
THREE CHOICES
husqvarna.com
The Husqvarna Vari-Cut is a new family of diamond blades for power cutters, tile saws and small flat saws. Vari-Cut blades have good performance and deliver high cutting speed with good service life in frequent all-around use. This family consists of three versions for cutting in different materials. The VariCut Plus is a general-purpose blade made to cut cured concrete, abrasive materials and light asphalt overlay with undercutting protection. It is available in 14- to 18-inch diameters. The basic Vari-Cut is another general-purpose blade to cut cured concrete and brick and comes in 12- to 16-inch sizes. The Vari-Cut Turbo is a fast-cutting blade for hard concrete, stone and masonry materials. It is only available in 14 inches.
RAZOR-THIN
flexovitabrasives.com
Flexovit USA has introduced its newest line of abrasive cut off wheels, the Razor Thin one-millimeter. Razor Thin is an ultra-thin cut off wheel that offers very fast and smooth cutting coupled with excellent life. Razor Thin will give maximum
cuts with minimal kerf loss, while providing less cutting resistance, sparks, and burs. It is the wheel of choice for professionals who value cutting speed and ease of cut combined with smooth, chatter-free action. The Razor Thin provides excellent quality cuts with no bur or burn on any type of metal. Razor Thin is offered in both Type 27 and Type 1 shapes and in four, five and six-inch diameters with a 7/8”-inch arbor.
EASY START HOT OR COLD
nortonconstructionproducts. com
Available in two 12- and 14-inch blade capacity models, the CP500 highspeed gas saw from Norton Construction Products features standard and iLube options, a patented automatic lubrication system that mixes oil and fuel electronically for maximum efficiency with no more premixing. Designed for easy starts, hot or cold, the electronic carburetor’s electro-magnetic valve eliminates the standard choke and half throttle start. The threestep easy-start eliminates the hassle of a choke - simply turn the switch on, prime the engine, and push the decompression button.Patented twin-air inlets create an air pulsation that draws fresh air in while pushing hot air away from the engine and releasing it out the back to keep the saw running cool and reduce debris being trapped in the filter. The external rocker wheel vibrates the filter to further help release debris.
“WELL
SAWS AND ABRASIVES
This system extends the filter life for less cleaning or replacement.
FOR PROFESSIONALS
stardiamondtools.com
Signature diamond blades from Star Diamond products are the president’s pick for the professional user. All Signature products are designed and field tested to provide optimum performance in the most challenging applications. Star Diamond’s Signature Series blades contain the highest concentration and quality of diamond. With some of the highest diamond to matrix ratio in the industry, Signature delivers long life, fast cutting, a smooth feel and straight cutting. The blade is designed for professionals who depend on their tools every day. Suitable for cured concrete, medium pavers, medium brick, concrete pipe, and limestone.
THOROUGH AIR FILTRATION
wackerneuson.com
Wacker Neuson gasoline cutoff saws in the BTS series are extremely durable and robust thanks to the high quality manufacturing standards of their individual components. The design is well-balanced, making for easy and intuitive operation of the saw. The air-cooled two-cycle engine has a high torque with reliable power transmission. This ensures the first-class cutting performance. And
they remain easily within all specified emission limits. The pulled-in air passes first through the cyclone filter where the majority of dirt particles are already removed. This is followed by the foam material prefilter. The precleansed air only meets the main filter at the end of the process. This results in a manifold increase of the air filter’s service life. In addition, there is only minimal loss of pressure.This ensures a consistently high engine performance. An innovative mechanism allows the user to start the device with minimal effort. Less strenuous and faster, ready for action.
HIGH CLEANING EFFICIENCY
stihl.ca
The TS 480i Stihl Cutquik features a state-of-the-art electronically controlled fuel-injection system that increases the power by 17 per cent, as compared to the TS 410. Powerful, lightweight and well-balanced, the TS 480i is designed for superior handling during the toughest jobs (maximum wheel size is 12 inches). The electronic fuel injection system continuously and precisely determines fuel mixture, injection and ignition timing. This
BUILT AND COMPETITIVELY PRICED”
Ben Cooke, Owner Cooke Rentals, North Carolina
technology allows the engine to produce low exhaust emissions and optimal torque throughout the RPM range. It also eliminates the need for a choke, simplifying the starting procedure and reduces fuel consumption. The standard electronic water control feature allows for easy and efficient water flow adjustment during operation. The X2 air filtration system maintains an incredible 99.96 per cent cleaning efficiency and can be operated without maintenance for up to one year under normal cutting conditions.
COOL CUTS
8 nortonconstructionproducts. com
A single blade for multiple job applications is exactly what the construction market needs. The 4X4 Max Cut from Norton Construction Products delivers fast, precise cuts in concrete, asphalt, stone/brick and steel. The increased segment height from the original 4X4 8.5 to10 mm, coupled with a premium diamond and metal bond segment geometry, extends the life of the blade. This new segment configuration added
to the anti-crack gullets ensures safe, accurate cuts, time and time again. The stroboscopic depth indicators not only let you know how deep to cut each pass, but they also help the 4X4 Max cut cool.
NO SPARKS
8 milwaukeetool.com
Milwaukee’s eight-inch metal-cutting circular saw delivers faster, cooler, cleaner, more affordable metal cutting. Forget the showers of hot metal chips and sparks that were once an aerial threat on metal construction
jobsites. The 6370 shears the metal, producing a virtually spark-free wake and cool, burr and scorch-free edges that don’t require post-cut finishing. Cool cut waste, in the form of metal shavings, is effectively contained with a durable magnesium blade shield and channeled into the saw’s integral ChipTank. Cool cutting also means that materials can be handled almost immediately following a cut, reducing downtime. The durable blade shield with an integral chiptank deflects/ collects hot chips and sparks. The 6370 includes a plunge lever for fast, effective plunge cuts. The exclusive quick-release shield latch allows for fast waste disposal and blade changes. A 2 9/16-inch cut depth enables one-pass cuts through most common materials. The powerful 13-amp, 3,700-RPM motor drives premium cermet-tipped blades that cut faster, cleaner, and longer than other carbide-tipped or friction blades.
VARIETY OF APPLICATIONS
Makita has introduced new concrete cutting solutions, with four 14-inch
concrete cutting tools. For premium performance, the 14-inch MM4 power cutter (EK7651H), a four-stroke engine power cutter, can handle a range of applications. The EK7651H advantages include no fuel mixing, easier starts and superior handling with the retractable wheel kit. The powerful EK7301 can cut metal decking with its 73 cc engine and 5.1 maximum horsepower. For compact performance, the EK6101 weighs only 19.6 lbs., suitable for wall-cutting applications. For indoor applications, an ideal alternative to a gas-powered saw is the 14-inch SJS angle cutter (4114). Users will appreciate the power and capacity with zero emissions and improved dust extraction when used with the Makita Xtract Vac and vacuum attachment.
Courts upping the ante
by Jeff Thorne
Courts are turning to more than just financial penalties.
Upon conviction of an offense, Occupational Health and Safety legislation in Canada provides for a range of penalties that include tickets, monetary fines and/or jail time. For truly egregious behaviours, the law provides for prosecution under the Criminal Code of Canada, which provides for lengthy prison time as well as unlimited fine amounts. In the past, even though the law provided for jail time, the consequences for conviction under OHS offenses were usually limited to monetary penalties. However, the law can be likened to that of an organism, in that it tends to change over time. It would appear that a time of change is upon us.
Recent convictions for OHS offenses that have involved illness, critical injury and fatalities, have shown that there is an increasing willingness on the part of the courts to include jail time as part of the punishment for responsible parties. Nationally, in the last couple of years, numerous company supervisors have been sentenced to jail time for cases involving worker fatalities and the lack of adequate protective measures and training.
“In the last few years there have been company directors sentenced to jail time.”
The crackdown may be related to a bad trend in recent workplace fatality statistics, particularly in the construction industry. According to a 2013 report by the Association of Compensation Boards of Canada, workplace fatalities in the Canadian construction sector went from 184 in 2011 to 211 in 2012 and up to 221 in 2013 - a steady rise. In all other sectors the fatality numbers either declined over the same period or fluctuated around an average number. Nothing
attracts the attention of the courts and the various labour authorities like deaths.
More recently in Ontario, two corporate directors of a furniture manufacturer and retailer were sentenced to 25 days in jail for failing to provide the basic minimum standards for fall protection. In this case, a worker fell to his death from an inappropriately modified, unguarded elevated platform. The worker had not been provided with any sort of personal fall protection equipment or training in the job-specific hazards. In Quebec, a worker was run over and killed by a backhoe without brakes that was driven by his employer. That case led to a prosecution under the Criminal Code and resulted in a two-year sentence for the employer. It should also be noted that prosecutions under other laws may have a similar result as well. In the last few years there have been company directors sentenced to jail time under the Employment Standards Act (Ontario), for repeatedly ignoring orders to pay workers wages owed. In one case, the company director was ordered to pay wages owed, fined $15,000 and sentenced to 90 days in jail.
These examples may be interpreted as a signal that the courts are increasingly unwilling to tolerate blatant breaches of the rules and standards that circumscribe minimally acceptable behaviours in our society. While in the past, monetary fines were seen as sufficient to deter others from similar lapses or failures within their internal responsibility system, it seems that the pattern of companies continuing to ignore the laws of our society must be met with a greater deterrent. Thus, courts seem to be resorting to more forceful methods of getting the message out to senior corporate executives. Health and safety legislation demands due diligence and employers and supervisors that ignore this mandate risk more than just money. They might possibly risk their personal freedom. CRS
Jeff Thorne is manager of training and consulting at Occupational Safety Group.
At the heart of every Skyjack machine, proven and simplistic control systems using Skyjack’s colour coded and numbered wiring system make our machines the easiest to troubleshoot and repair. – Black #14 is for the lift function on a SJIII 3219, and it is lift on a SJ63 AJ. Using an analog based control system allows Skyjack AWPs to operate using a simplified system with fewer and less expensive components – less maintenance and lower costs.
