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CGA Newsletter: April 2014

The Canadian Glass Association is proud to announce that an interim
executive director has been selected to help move the association
forward until a permanent ED can be located.

Canadian Glass Association
The Canadian Glass Association is proud to announce that an interim executive director has been selected to help move the association forward until a permanent ED can be located. Glass Canada magazine freelancer and marketing specialist Rich Porayko has joined the Canadian Glass Association to help with the management transition. Porayko has over 10 years of marketing experience in the commercial glass industry and volunteered with the Glazing Contractors Association of B.C. for nearly seven years. “I look forward to working with the board of directors for the betterment of the Canadian glass industry,” says Porayko.

One of Rich’s priorities out of the gate will be the helping spearhead the annual Glass Connections national conference which will be held in Dartmouth, N.S. on June 5. “I’ve only been with the association for a short time and I’m already learning about the Atlantic glazing industry and kitchen parties. I’m a fan of glass and parties so it’s a promising marriage!”

Glass Connections 2014 is scheduled to have an informal Nova Scotia “kitchen party” style meet and greet social on June 4 hosted by the Atlantic Glass Association. The famous kitchen party is named after a well-known tradition in Nova Scotia where the party ends up in the kitchen. The event will feature live entertainment as in every authentic kitchen party there’s always a guitar playing or someone belting out traditional songs at the top of their lungs.

Glass Connections 2014 is more than just rum and Alexander Keith’s, it’s an intensive day of learning, sharing ideas and networking. Past conferences have challenged seasoned glass veterans to question what they thought they knew about glass. The 2014 lineup is shaping up to be no different. Seminars include Curtain Wall and Window Wall: Traps, Tricks, Success and Meeting the Challenge of the 2011 Model National Energy Code for Buildings with speakers from Morrison Hershfield, Sentech Architectural Systems and Dow Corning.

Ontario Glass and Metal Association
Our Workplace Safety and Prevention Services group holds meetings on a regular basis. These meetings are of great value and benefit to glazing contractors and glass shops and cover many topics that have a significant impact on your business. If you are interested in attending a future meeting or joining the group contact Steve Ringler:  steve.ogm@bellnet.ca

The Ontario Ministry of Labour announced Nov. 15 that all workplaces governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act must provide training for supervisors and workers by July 1, 2014, and that the training must meet the specific requirements set out in the regulation.   The training must include instruction in seven key areas for workers and six key areas for supervisors.  It is imperative that your company satisfies these requirements as penalties will be imposed on those that have not complied.

In January, the OGMA reached agreement with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS, formerly the IAPA), to proceed on the creation of a manual geared specifically for small and mid-sized glazing contractors and glass shops. The work is now underway and the manual will be made available to all OGMA member companies and will be of particular importance to companies who do not have a formal documented safety policy in place and who do not have the time or resources to create a program on their own. The WSPS will work with your company to implement the safety program, will keep you updated on all changes to laws that you must be in compliance with,  put you in a strong position to withstand a Workwell audit, and help you to defend yourself with the Ministry of Labour in the event of a workplace accident. Your participation in this program is an absolute must for many obvious reasons.  Contact an OGMA director for more information.

We are excited to be moving to a fabulous new venue for our spring golf this year. Join us at Pipers Heath GC on Thursday, May 29. We’re holding the tournament this year to coincide with the exciting new Top Glass Conference and Exhibits show being held at the International Centre in Mississauga on May 28. Participants coming to town for the show are welcome to stay an extra day and join us at our golf event. In addition to a great golf day and steak dinner, the OGMA is pleased to announce here that we will also be presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to a long time glass industry icon and well deserving, Doug Hotham.

We’re putting together a new event for this summer.  Picture yourself pulling out of Port Credit harbour on a 40-foot fishing boat on Wednesday, August 6, chasing down an award winning salmon with your OGMA friends.  The day will include lunch, prizes, and camaraderie.  Make sure to come out and test your angling skills.  Great time guaranteed.

Provincial Glazing Association of Alberta
We will be registering for a Try-A-Trade in the Provincial Skills Competition which is set for Edmonton in May this year. The Golf Tournament will be held at River Bend Golf Course this year where they have air-conditioned meeting facilities and fairway-roaming carts. The tentative date is for August 21, which is a Thursday. By the time you read this we will have held our AGM at the Red Deer Construction Association and elected our 2014 board. “It has been my privilege to serve as your president for the past two years, and I look forward to assisting the new board for the next two years,” said Jim Brady, PGAA president.