The Memorial Hall was this year's venue for the 23rd annual Contractor Safety Awareness Association (CSAA) contractor breakfast, on Mar.27, 2012.
This month, which was declared Safe Digging Month by the Premier in Saskatchewan in 2011, included 31 presentations throughout Saskatchewan, sponsored by 15-20 different companies.
Daryl Schoenroth, a contractor working closely with C.S.A.A, has been leading meetings all around southeast Saskatchewan this month.
The association hosts these events to increase awareness of working safely around underground and overhead facilities. The breakfast is given as an incentive to get the hard working men and woman to attend, and was catered by Delores and Brian Meyer.
Call Before You Dig/Look Up & Live has been the message being sent out by the association for several years.
During the hectic serving of breakfast, a slide show of misfortunes is played. Some of these are humorous and others are hard hitting and sad. After the breakfast is on everyone's plate, the meeting officially begins. Announcements are made and a video including the story of a mother losing her son, and some acting by the meeting leaders themselves is presented.
"Rushing while working may be time efficient but could also risk lives," Schoenroth asserts.
Ninety-two workers attended the early morning breakfast in Carlyle, most having to work on the rigs immediately after.
Invited guests included emergency responders, construction workers, anyone involved with the oil rigs, business owners and media.
"Everyone is responsible for the safety of those around them," stated Schoenroth. "We need to commit to getting everyone home safely."
Other gifts given out include new work gloves and a small information booklet. The booklet has changed this year to include the meanings of the Uniform Colour Code and a safe ground disturbance checklist.
Last year, 4,600 workers from over 1,000 Saskatchewan companies attended the CSAA safety breakfasts across the province.
Sessions were also being held in Stoughton, Weyburn and Estevan over the last week.
