We recently received clarification on ladder enforcement. Last month, the MOL provided further clarification on how they plan to deal with ladders. Here are a few of the main points.

• 1) According to the Construction Regulation, ladders are not work platforms. They are a means of access. In situations where you can use a scaffold or other type of approved work platform, use it. You may only work from a ladder when it is not possible to use a proper work platform.
• 2) If working from a ladder is your only option, remember that ladders are more hazardous than work platforms. Fall protection rules apply to ladder use. If your feet are more than three metres from the ground, you must use fall protection.
• 3) The MOL will allow “short duration” work from ladders-less than 30 minutes. Therefore, a worker may not work from a ladder for more than 30 minutes at one time. Workers may work from a ladder multiple times throughout the day, as long as there is an adequate rest period or alternative work in between. The amount of rest required depends on the task and the worker’s physical condition. This differs slightly from an earlier interpretation of the rule, which was that the 30-minute maximum applied to the entire day.

Don’t forget: if you are doing short duration work from a ladder and your feet are more than three metres from the ground, you must use fall protection.

• 4) You must keep your centre of gravity between the sides of the ladder and have two feet on the rungs at all times while working.
• 5) Carrying equipment or material up or down a ladder is not permitted. Inspectors will look for 3-point contact.
• 6) Ladders must be set up at proper angles, which is one foot out for every three to four feet up.
• 7) Ladders must be set up on firm, level surfaces and the area around the base must be free of material and debris.

-2-Minute News is the bulletin on construction safety you can read in two
minutes or less! It’s emailed to subscribers in the middle of each month
by the Construction Safety Association of Ontario.

A recent survey found that 27 percent of human resource managers receive more than 50 resumes for each open position. With such stiff competition, your resume needs to be flawless, persuasive and customized to a particular position in order to stand out in the crowd.

The perfect resume:

Here are the top resume essentials that HR managers said they take into account:

• Relevant experience
• Accomplishments
• That you’ve taken the time to customize your resume for a specific position

Keywords Matter:

HR managers search for certain words when screening resumes. Here are some top-searched keywords:

• Problem-solving / decision-making
• Leadership
• Oral / written communications
• Team building
• Performance and productivity improvement

Top resume mistakes:

Here’s a list of resume errors that makes HR managers cringe (and then toss your application in the trash):

• Misspelled words
• Resumes not customized to the position
• Lies
• Including too many insignificant details on job responsibilities
• Resumes that are more than two pages long

Posted By:
Amanda Wilson

Amanda is the Office Administrator at the Levert Personnel Resources North Bay Branch located at 44B Venture Crescent in North Bay, Ontario. Canada. She can be reached via email at awilson@levert.ca or Toll Free 1-800-461-5934 or visit www.levert.ca and start your job search now. Visit Levert at http://www.levert.ca/

It has been more than ten years since fall protection training became mandatory for all Ontario construction workers. Yet, in 2008, falls were the cause of more than 50% of traumatic deaths and more than 60% of critical injuries.

 These statistics are disturbing. Falls are preventable.

 Every worker who has received fall protection training knows how to prevent falls, so make sure that knowledge is put to use. Strictly enforce fall protection on your jobsite. Don’t forget about the site-specific portion of fall protection training. Here are a few of the basics that should be covered during site-specific training.

 t  Walk around the site with your workers and point out the fall hazards they will encounter and how they are being controlled (e.g., guardrails around floor openings, travel restraint on upper stories). As site conditions change, address new fall hazards with your crew.

 t  Show workers how to use the type of fall protection equipment you are giving them (e.g., rope grabs, lanyards, etc.). Have them demonstrate to ensure they know how to use everything properly.

t  Identify the anchor points workers should use to tie off.

t  Point out the areas on the jobsite where guardrails have been put up versus the areas where personal fall protection is required.

 Workers can always use a refresher on fall protection—especially when you consider the number of workers who are still falling.

-2-Minute News is the bulletin on construction safety you can read in two
minutes or less! It’s emailed to subscribers in the middle of each month
by the Construction Safety Association of Ontario.

A report forecasting only slight population growth in North Bay over the next 22 years underestimates the city’s potential, says Mayor Vic Fedeli. The population, housing and employment forecast prepared for the city by the Mississauga-based Watson and Associates Economists Ltd. was presented to council Monday as a background document for use in developing North Bay’s new official plan. But both council and staff said they have their doubts about the moderate growth predictions included in the report. “Our population is going to grow by more than 100 people over the next five years,” said Fedeli, questioning the projection that the city will be home to 58,600 people by 2031 based on an annual growth rate of 0.21%. He acknowledged that the report’s forecasts are based on a methodology, while his are founded on anecdotal information. But Fedeli said the study looks at historic data and trends, and doesn’t account for the aggressive policies in place at city hall such as those aimed at immigration and youth retention. Fedeli said the North Bay Regional Health Centre alone will need to hire hundreds of new staff in the coming years, including nearly 100 new nurses immediately. “We don’t have 100 unemployed nurses,” said Fedeli, noting many of those jobs will need to be filled with people from out of town. The report pointed to modest employment growth and a continued decline in average household size as a result of an aging population. The report states that as of 2006, the 55-plus population in North Bay represented approximately 28% of the city’s population base. That percentage is forecast to increase to approximately 33 to 35% by 2031. But Fedeli argued an aging population should also contribute to growth, with more retirees leaving jobs that will need to be filled by young workers. The report, despite its conservative forecasts, was accepted by council as a suitable document for use in developing the new official plan, which set out land use policies over 25 years. Council heard from staff that the official plan, which is subject to updates and changes, needs to be based on sound methodology should it be challenged at an Ontario Municipal Board hearing.

Posted By: Gord Young of the North Bay Nugget

Ontario Ministry of Labour inspectors checked specifically for unsafe work practices in demolition and renovation during an enforcement “blitz” of provincially regulated construction workplaces in August 2008.

It seems as though no matter what you do, you can’t avoid hearing about the current economic climate. Even wikipedia has an entry explaining the global financial crisis. Times are changing rapidly. Learning how to adjust and adapt to these changes is becoming the new key to success.

So what does this mean to us, here in North Bay? Many local companies have been forced to cut back and layoff workers. The forestry and mining industries are among the hardest hit locally. As a result of the changing times, companies are looking to increase their profits by controlling expenses. Many people are finding that their job roles and descriptions are changing as they take on additional duties and responsibilities more than ever before.

With the unemployment rate rising (it was reported at 7.9% in January) more and more people are joining the job search. The catch is, now there are many highly trained, highly skilled people searching for positions. Many of these people are willing to accept positions they are overqualified for, or to relocate in exchange for remaining in the work force. In light of this tough competition, many people are deciding to retrain in a second career or take courses to upgrade their skills in an attempt to become more employable.

It’s important to remember that it isn’t bad news all-around. Companies are continuing to do business which means some staff changeover is inevitable. People will continue to retire, change careers and even get sick, leaving behind vacancies that need to be filled. Some industries continue to remain in high demand, for example health care professionals continue to be highly sought after. There are also many seasonal industries which are just starting to gear up like construction and tourism.

Posted By:
Amanda Wilson

Amanda is the Office Administrator at the Levert Personnel Resources North Bay Branch located at 44B Venture Crescent in North Bay, Ontario. Canada. She can be reached via email at awilson@levert.ca or Toll Free 1-800-461-5934 or visit www.levert.ca and start your job search now. Visit Levert at http://www.levert.ca/

So what does this mean to me as a job seeker? Currently you are up against some tough competition. Make sure you have an excellent resume that is easy to read and really sells your skills. 55% of hiring managers spend less than 2 minutes reviewing each resume, with ¼ spending less than 1 minute. Your resume is your first and in many cases your only impression. This is where you want all the help you can get on your side. Extra eyes on your job search are always beneficial. Registering with Levert opens up employment opportunities you may not have otherwise had. Registering is fast and simple. Please visit our Registration FAQ for more information and to register today.

Posted By: Amanda Wilson

Amanda is the Office Administrator at the Levert Personnel Resources North Bay Branch located at 44B Venture Crescent in North Bay, Ontario. Canada. She can be reached via email at awilson@levert.ca or Toll Free 1-800-461-5934 or visit www.levert.ca and start your job search now.

Visit Levert at http://www.levert.ca/

So what does all of this mean to me as an employer who needs to fill a position? The good news is with so many people seeking employment you should be able to find that star employee you are seeking. The real question becomes do you have the time and resources required to do so? Local companies are reporting that they are now receiving seven times the amount of resumes they usually would for an advertised opening. As many as 60% of these applicants are inexperienced or unqualified. Resumes are also coming in from across the country from qualified people looking to relocate. The reality is most companies just don’t have the required resources to devote to the sorting and screening of applicants. This is where Levert can help. Here at Levert Personnel Resources Inc. it is our mission to find you staffing solutions. Levert does the recruiting, screening, and background checks on potential applicants presenting you with just the most qualified candidates for your position alleviating the burden from you and your existing staff. Levert also has many excellent pre-employment testing options available. Call Levert today at (705) 498-6643 to discuss what services benefit you most.

Posted By: Amanda Wilson

Amanda is the Office Administrator at the Levert Personnel Resources North Bay Branch located at 44B Venture Crescent in North Bay, Ontario. Canada. She can be reached via email at awilson@levert.ca or Toll Free 1-800-461-5934 or visit www.levert.ca and start your job search now.

Visit Levert at http://www.levert.ca/

EMPLOYMENT: Despite the economic downturn, some companies are hiring.  There’s jobs … for the qualified

It’s not all bad news.

Amid daily announcements of companies cutting back and laying off workers as they deal with a global economic downturn, there are some businesses looking to fill vacant positions.

And people with specialized skills are the targets.

We’ve been in a hiring mode for a while now,” said Duncan Sharp, vice-president and general manager of Voyageur Airways.

We’re growing, but we’re also a stepping stone to other companies,” he said, adding recruitment efforts have attracted employees from across Canada.

Voyageur, with about 350 people on staff, has numerous vacancies to fill, including flight crews, maintenance technicians, pilots and administrative support.

Sharp said the company has tapped into college and high school programs in search of potential recruits.

Voyageur is not alone in hiring. The tough times mean more work for organizations that offer services for the unemployed.

Posted By Jennifer Hamilton-McCharles, The Nugget- Wednesday March 18th, 2009