EOS is fully committed to ensuring that safety is at the forefront of all projects.  Our first class safety program excels in injury reduction and environmental protection, as demonstrated by our history of low incident rates.  We received the Work Safe Alberta Award which places us in the top 0.3% of companies in our category for performance in workplace health and safety.  In addition, we have held a Certificate of Recognition from Partnerships in Safety and Health since 1997.  Since 1997, we have been utilizing an auditing system from the Alberta Construction Safety Association and consistently exceed the standard passing mark for these audits.  Our last external audit was in February, 2007 and we received a mark of 97%.  Since then, we have conducted several internal audits with most recent passing marks of 93%, 95% and 97%.  In addition, EOS is a registered member of ISNetworld where we are 100% compliant. 

Some of the salient points embodied in our health and safety program are listed below.

• The goals of our safety program are accomplished through strong administration, clear chains of command, and the utilization of a safety committee that consists of employees, subcontractors, management, foremen, and superintendents.  We conduct tailgate meetings and hazard assessments daily, and also hold weekly and monthly employee and corporate meetings regarding safety.

• Our safety meetings are held at regular intervals with all workers in attendance.  During these meetings, we review the new OH&S Act, Regulation and Code with the goal of providing employees and subcontractors with an understanding of the reasons for the emphasis our company places on safety.  Each worker receives their own copy of the OH&S manual.

• Company managers meetings include personnel from head office and all field offices, as well as superintendents and foremen.  At these meetings, we review any safety issues encountered, brainstorm solutions to specific problems, and ensure that all key personnel are clear on protocols.  These meetings are extremely valuable for the company and result in the development of policies and procedures that are presented to the company at an annual safety award event.

• New hires are provided with detailed orientations and on-site training which include instruction on first aid and equipment hazards and procedures.  Workers are encouraged to refuse unsafe work and are assured that they will not be disciplined for such refusal.  Progressive incentives are offered for continued safe work practice.  We have developed and utilized policies to successfully manage substance abuse situations on the job site.

• We continuously update our Health, Safety & Environmental Manual.  We engage consultants and several of our managers, foremen, and workers as necessary to ensure that our manual accurately reflects field procedures and is updated annually.

• We utilize a customized version of MS Business Solutions Great Plains Human Resources Module to accommodate the human resource needs of our projects.  This system allows us to track information about our workers, safety certifications, incident involvement, and claims management information.

• Our safety program attempts to minimize the occurrence of all incidents small and large.  Accordingly, we are committed to reporting even minor incidents, reviewing them medically, and treating them with the same seriousness as other incidents. 

• We retain a claims management company, Work Comp Tech, to assist with processes that minimize the occurrence of claims and workers’ downtime in an effective and positive manner.  Our consultant’s expertise coupled with our human resources module provides us with the capability to accurately and efficiently manage incidents on a project-by-project basis in an effective and positive manner.

• Our equipment series allows us to track all equipment information stored on our database.  Equipment timesheets for all equipment owned, rented, or subcontracted are completed daily by project foremen.  This information is then entered by an on-site administrator into our Project accounting module.  We are thus able to accurately job cost and maintain detailed maintenance records, which ensure that heavy equipment is serviced at appropriate intervals.

• To benefit local communities, EOS developed an introductory pipeline training program in 2002 that covered equipment operations, maintenance and safety, rigging and slinging, life skills, driver training, WHMIS, and TDG.  In 2004, EOS expanded its training programs to include 48 participants from both the Deh Cho and Sahtu regions.  We also added the subjects of Chainsaw Safety, PST (Petroleum Safety Training), Industry Standard, and quad safety.  Students came from Tulita, Fort Good Hope, Deline, Trout Lake, and Kakiska.  Through training, we are able to assess workers’ job proficiency as well as allow workers to familiarize themselves with our organization, expectations, and project leaders.  Workers gain confidence in their abilities and project knowledge, which was resulted in job satisfaction and advancement opportunities.

• We maintain close working relationships with the following associations: Alberta Construction Safety Association, Workers’ Compensation Board, Petroleum Industry Training Program, and Work Comp Tech.  These relationships allow us to keep abreast of safety issues and industry treatment of these issues.

• Our foremen and Project Supervisors ensure that safety related permits, documentation, and regulatory issues have been considered.  They initiate changes and/or applications when necessary with the assistance of our Calgary Head Office and legal advisors.