Municipal Safety News
" If you put good people in bad systems, you get bad results.
You have to water the flowers you want to grow. "
– Stephen Covey
Message from Jim Moroney, Executive Director
Like the municipalities we serve, AMHSA has been very involved with the recent OH&S legislative changes that went into effect on June 1, 2018.

This new legislation required us to make necessary updates to our training materials so that our members can be up to date on their training.

The enactment of the new legislation is why we chose to dedicate this newsletter to all the latest updates and links so that you have the necessary information as necessary on the new requirements.

Please review the information and check out the links provided.

Have a safe summer!

Jim Moroney IHT, BSC, CRSP, CSP
Executive Director
OHS Report
OH&S Act Updates
Much has been discussed and posted regarding the new OH&S changes which came into effect on June 1. AMHSA recognized the opportunity to take a lead role in representing all Alberta municipalities and work with the province as one point-of-contact to solicit feedback on questions raised. Ken Glubish, our special projects team lead, compiled questions from our members and worked with a technical advisor from the Alberta Labour Occupational Health and Safety to ensure we had the correct answers which we are providing to you by clicking here , or by visiting this link:

(“OHS Act Questions and Answers” can be found beneath the header “Documents”)
OH&S Health and Safety Committee Representative Training
The following link can be used for health and safety committee representatives to complete a course that has been created with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) that is specific to Alberta health and safety committees and duties. The training is what officers will be looking for representatives to have and is a free two-hour online course . https://www.ccohs.ca/distributors/alberta/
Workers' Compensation Board Updates and Changes
For Workers’ Compensation Board changes, please click here:
Lawn Maintenance Safety
Most municipalities hire seasonal workers to maintain public lawns – our job is to ensure they are safe while working. AMHSA’s special projects lead, Ken Glubish, created Lawn Maintenance Safety Guidelines for Municipal Operations in Alberta specifically with this in mind.

You can find this guide and two checklists on AMHSA’s website by clicking on this link:
AMHSA Announcements
Annual Survey 2018
This is a reminder that our survey has been distributed with a deadline of June 25, 2018 . Your feedback and opinions are important to us as it helps guide us in the creation of courses, training, and services we offer to you. Just by completing the survey gives you a chance to enter in a draw for a $100 gift certificate! Click here to take our survey.
AMHSA's Annual Report for 2017
A digital copy of AMHSA’s Annual Report for 2017 can be found on our website by clicking on this link: https://www.amhsa.net/resources/amhsa-publications/

It is currently being printed and will be distributed by mail to CAOs and our Board members once completed.
AMHSA is Hiring for a Health and Safety Coordinator and Advisor Position
AMHSA is looking for a Health and Safety Coordinator and Advisor position for our corporate office (Calgary) – click on this link for more information . Deadline is Monday, June 18 at 11:59 pm . To see the job description, please click here .
Audit Dispatch
The Certifying Partner group is currently in the process of updating the content standard related to COR audit tools, and a sub-committee is working on updating the audit tool which AMHSA is adopting to more accurately reflect the new legislation.

The most substantial changes are the incorporation of a new element entitled Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committees and Health and Safety Representatives, and an element tentatively called Other Parties at the Work Site. The Other Parties element pulls together contractor management content that was previously located in other elements and incorporates other work site parties such as suppliers and visitors.

As soon as the new standards and tool are finalized, we will be updating our new Excel and eCompliance tools, updating the website, updating the related training courses (i.e. Health and Safety Auditing, Audit Refresher), and sending out an Auditor Update to keep everyone informed.

Our COR holders should keep in mind that the new audit tool will be the only tool available for use as of January 1, 2019, and that the requirement for COR Maintenance audits to attain an audit score of at least 60% to pass will also be in effect as of next year.

This summer we will be distributing our second annual auditing survey, watch your email inboxes!

We currently have room in our September Audit Refresher courses and October Health and Safety Management Systems and Auditing courses in both Sherwood Park and Calgary.
Call 1 800 267-9764 for details and to register!
Municipal Moments
Safety Council Meetings

 All of our municipalities are encouraged to attend our safety council meetings according to the area of Alberta they represent. These meetings are for our members only. Breakfast snacks and lunch are provided free of charge for our members.
Northern Alberta Safety Council
  • Date: September 13, 2018
  • Time: 10 am – 3 pm
  • Location: Town of Stony Plain - Heritage Park Building, Spruce Grove Hall, Main Floor, 5100 41 Ave, Stony Plain (invitations and details to follow in August)
Southern Alberta Safety Council
  • Date: September 27, 2018
  • Time: 10 am – 3 pm
  • Location: Town of Cochrane - 101 Ranche House Road Conference Centre (invitations and details to follow in August)

To learn more information about our Safety Council Meetings, please click here .
Searching for... two municipalities to host our 2019 Northern and Southern safety council meetings.

If you are willing to be a host or would like more information, please email Terri at terri@amhsa.net .
Ammonia Safety Days
Calgary Area Location

Day 1: Friday, June 15, 2018

  • Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Check-in: 7:30 am - 8:00 am
  • Location: Scott Seamen Sports Arena, 3156 Hwy 552E Range Road 1, DeWinton, AB
  • Safety Day Theme: "Prevent them all or stop them small"
  • Continental breakfast & lunch included in ticket price.


Day 2: Saturday, June 16, 2018

  • Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Check-in: 7:30 am - 8:00 am
  • Location: Scott Seamen Sports Arena, 3156 Hwy 552E Range Road 1, DeWinton, AB
  • Focusing on anhydrous ammonia training for public safety and industrial first responders, hazmat technicians, emergency planners and regulators.
  • Continental breakfast & lunch included in ticket price.

Edmonton Area Location

Day 1: Monday, June 18, 2018

  • Time: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Check-in: 7:30 am - 8:00 am
  • Location: Elks Hall, 400 Diamond Avenue, Spruce Grove, AB
  • Safety Day Theme: "Prevent them all or stop them small"
  • Continental breakfast & lunch included in ticket price.



Day 2: Tuesday, June 19, 2018

  • 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Check-in: 7:30 am - 8:00 am
  • Location: Elks Hall, 400 Diamond Avenue, Spruce Grove, AB
  • Focusing on anhydrous ammonia training for public safety and industrial first responders, hazmat technicians, emergency planners and regulators.
  • Continental breakfast & lunch included in ticket price.


September 5-7, 2018:
Medicine Hat, AB
Details TBA
September 16-19, 2018:
People, Purpose, & Passion: The Pathway to OHS Success
Niagara Falls, Ontario
September 26-28, 2018:
Westerner Park,
Red Deer, AB
AMHSA is proud to co-host the 45th Health, Safety, & Utility Conference & Trade Show!

December 4-6, 2018
Sheraton Hotel, Red Deer, AB
December 4, 2018 - Pre-Conference Sessions, including AMHSA's OH&S Legislation Course, Joint Work Site Health and Safety Committees, and equipment operation.

December 5-6, 2018 - Conference highlights include:
  • Welcome from the Government of Alberta and Partnerships in Injury Reduction
  • OHS Compliance Update
  • Sessions regarding safety and utilities, including:
  • Workplace Violence Prevention and Supervisor's Role (AMHSA)
  • Trends in Water and Wastewater
  • Ground Disturbance
  • Toxic Gases in Arenas and Lawn Mowing Project Report (AMHSA)
  • Equipment Operator Safety
  • Commercial Vehicle Compliance
  • PPE Head to Toe
  • Remote Water Meters
  • Closing Keynote (Olympian Georgette Reed)
  • ...and more!
February 21-22, 2019:
Facing Forward
Edmonton, AB
AMHSA Corporate Office
Calgary
1-877-537-9063 
AMHSA Northern Regional Office
Sherwood Park
1-800-267-9764