John Bleasby
Homeowner homebuilders (Part 2): Why isn’t it ‘cool’ to be safe?
"Have a look at re-runs of the recently-aired series House of Brian and count the on-camera safety violations for yourself."
By John Bleasby
Trying to “save a buck” and “endangering the lives of others”: two strong attacks against homeowner-homebuilders made recently by my fellow columnist Alec Caldwell. However, rather than these over-simplifications and very harsh generalizations, wouldn’t some guidance and insistence from the trades be in order? Since it’s in everyone’s best interest to have a smooth running project and safe working conditions, shouldn’t the trades themselves take some responsibility for their own workplace safety? Surely a roofer, a carpenter – even a minimum wager with a pick and shovel – can refuse to work on an unsafe, unprofessional site? Why is it always the homeowner-builder’s fault? If he puts a nail through his Gucci loafers, it’s his pain. But if a professional tradesman does the same, you have to ask why the tradesman allowed that to happen.
In fact, the problem on my site was getting the trades to comply with their own safety regulations. It was hard work talking my (then) lead carpenter into joining me at a First Aid course; I had several chats with my trades regarding hard hats, high visibility clothing whenever any overhead equipment was on site; about wearing harnesses and safety lines when working at height. I won my arguments, but it took serious persuasion, and it shouldn’t have! All the perimeter safety fencing, signage, and liability insurance in the world is no use if workers on the site are resistant to adhering to regulations.
Where does this cavalier attitude start? If the trades aren’t willing to work under the rules designed to keep them safe, who tells them otherwise? Who should take the lead informing the public?
Perhaps the TV celebrity handymen should shoulder some blame for this atmosphere of non-compliance. I have talked to many in the trades, and have observed on the Canadian Contractor website, a certain disdain for the showmanship displayed by these self-appointed rock stars of the pneumatic nail gun, to the point that many don’t even bother watching.
However, these hugely popular shows help shape public perception of the industry and workplace safety. Why shouldn’t the likes of Brian Baeumler, for example, be seen to reinforce workplace safety on their shows? Have a look at re-runs of the recently-aired series House of Brian and count the on-camera safety violations for yourself. The series itself focusses on the apparently almost non-existent planning and eye-rolling absence of project management connected with his own home project, a debacle that mocks professionalism. Yet here is a high profile TV handyman who promotes himself as a role model for good construction practice, making millions along the way (net worth between $8 – $15 million, depending on the source). I shake my head. Some role model!
It seems to me that someone should have a word with these handymen TV stars (and their sponsors) and suggest that they, perhaps more than anyone, have a responsibility to actively demonstrate and reinforce good safety and project management practices, rather than scripting shows that degrade good process and safety to gain a few cute winks and outright laughs.
John Bleasby, Associate Editor
Canadian Contractor Magazine
(follow me on Twitter….@john_bleasby)
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First off I’m very keen to read more of your articles in the future,certainly an interesting series about building your own home.
I’m glad that you took the time to set your site up properly and follow the steps required by law. Lol so let’s not pat ourselves on the back to much just yet. Perhaps you haven’t been on enough real building sites yet?
As a carpenter that’s worked all over Canada and the world for that matter it’s really great to see someone build their own dream home by taking the reins and leading by example. Congratulations! It really is the way to get what you want.
But you are by far in the minority.
Most homeowner/home builder jobs I’ve been involved in haven’t shown your level of commitment. I’ve had great experiences and some pretty lousy ones. Lots of times I’ve spent to much of my time helping an overwhelmed wanabe Homebuilder keep the wheels from falling off their project.
Budget problems,cheap materials,completely overestimating their abilitys (try working for doctors/engineers/teachers/lawyers, the professional types,wow!!!). improper timing of trades,lack of any building knowledge,quality control and some of the “good guys” that have been hired to do the work,oh yes there are some people working in the building industry that really shouldn’t be but their price is right.
If it’s gotten to a point on a site that someone has to refuse work then you as the homeowner/builder have failed. If running your site is like herding cats and not like being the coach of a professional hockey team then something your doing is very wrong.
I’m surprised that you had problems having your sub-trades follow safety procedures. The sub-trades I use dont,that’s because they are professionals. Having to have a serious discussion with a trade about safety means you’ve both failed. Yes both of you have failed. If you’ve a problem with a roofer not tied-off the I think perhaps you need to look at what you’ve hired. Sorry sunshine but if your “the big cheese” then day one you got to be on top of safety,the buck stops with you ultimately. If your lead hand didn’t already have his first aid did he even have his WHMIS or supervisor training? Fall awareness?
As I started off saying I do sincerely congratulate you on building your home and I do hope it’s exactly what you wanted. But experience teaches humility and perhaps a “tug of the forelock” to someone like Alec who does go out and sticks his big nose into people’s building sites isn’t out of place.
Now you really struck the nail on the head with some of your other comments.
Pros take safety very seriously with the exception of the TV stars. Time and time again I watch a “TV reality star” completely and utterly disregard safety for a good heart warming shot. So glad you brought this up,the little disclaimer in the credits doesn’t cut it for me.
It would be great to have someone get to the bottom of this problem. Why haven’t the MOL crashed the party and brought these guys to task? What’s going on? I’ve asked these guys at trade shows about their lack of safety and all I get is a mumbled answer and a quick move onto some lame question from the next in line.
So go get em’ Tiger! You got teeth for sure so be the man that gets the answers.