The approach I took to building our new house was “how hard can it be” relying on what I had learned from working with my father what seems like only a few years ago. In reality that was as much as 40 odd years ago and I was very young (almost an infant in fact).
Following his lead I learned to measure twice and cut once, always use the correct tool for the job and waste not want not (I spent many days straightening nails with an old paint pail and hammer in hand on the concrete steps behind our house). I also thought that building a house was static using the same materials as my father and his father before him but have come to realize that materials have changed to include insulated concrete forms (ICF), PEX flexible plumbing and combi boiler heating systems among others.
Another change to home construction is the increased focus on safety. Over the past few months we have had on site safety training for such things as Working at Heights and Elevated Work Platforms conducted by Todd Robinson, a qualified trainer and friend of mine from Sarnia, Ontario.
Building a two-story house means plenty of work needs to be done “up” requiring fall protection and elevated platforms like scissor lifts or boom trucks make the work easier than scaffolding. So we needed to make sure our guys new how to safely use both.
To Quote the Ontario ministry of labour, “ Depending on the circumstances, homeowners may be considered constructors and subject to obligations under Occupational Health and Safety Act if they hire multiple contractors to work at the same time.” In other words, if you’re the general contractor on your house build or renovation, then better safe than sorry to avoid risk and stay out of trouble with the Ministry of Labour.
There are additional legislated rules coming to all construction sites in Ontario and we have taken the approach with this ambitious project to ensure as much as possible that everyone remains safe ahead of those requirements. Just because we did something one way in the past does not mean that it is the best way and we can all benefit from additional training.
Despite the threat of rain yesterday was great fun. We had a chance to spend a few hours back on the farm, add in a little learning and have our own carnival ride. It’s hard to beat a set of wheels that operates on rough terrain and can also lift you more than forty feet to the forest canopy. The experience provided a new perspective on the build plus the chance to play with internal combustions engines as all boys enjoy.
Our own carnival ride…
And don’t miss the high speed chase caught on camera…
Thank you for the great day of training. I can honestly say that I wish there were more homeowners out there that look at the safety side the way that Greg and Heather do.
I applaud the effort that these two put into everything that they do, and the way that they look at safety as being of the highest importance to them.
Keep up the great work, and I can’t wait to do more training for you both.