A close shave

“Listen Alec; you should know better, I could give you a ticket for doing that,” he said as I stood holding my hard hat in my right hand on a residential renovation site.

“It’s supposed to be on your head” he says. I fumble for a smart come back reply. Before I can open my mouth he then adds, “Where’s your safety glasses.” (Another $195.000 fine).

This guy’s no fool; he’s seen it all before, standing there in front of me wearing his blue hard hat. Suddenly I’m in trouble, sweating like a Scotsman who’s lost his wallet. A Ministry of Labour inspector right in front of me, there’s no escape, as they can appear out of the blue on your job site anytime and normally don’t leave quickly.

Well luck was on my side, I get off with a warning and we both parted ways as buddies.

Remember, just because you’ve never had a guy wearing a blue hard come up to you on your renovation site all those past years you’ve been in the business doesn’t  meant it won’t happen to you today. Rules and regulations change and we have to be up on them and adjust, so no more hanging hard hats on “nails” or sitting them on the dashboard like a trophy.

And certainly never carry one in your hand on a job site.

Alec Caldwell (CARAHS Founder)

 CARAHS (Canadian Association of Renovators And Home Services) is a non profit organization delivering education, information and benefits to those self employed in the home renovation and home service industry. www.carahs.org Toll free 1-866-366-2930