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CGA Newsletter: June 2014

The 2014 Glass Connections Conference and Trade Show hit Halifax June 4 and 5.

Canadian Glass Association
The 2014 Glass Connections Conference and Trade Show hit Halifax June 4 and 5. Thank you so much to all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly to put together an event that benefits the entire industry nationwide, in particular Jim Brady, Richard Verdon, Mike Higgins and Tony Spurrell. Glass Connections Conference & Trade Show is a highly focused educational and networking event for glaziers, architects, engineers, designers, spec writers, commercial construction contractors and building owners. In addition to a full day of peer reviewed seminars with three Continuing Education credits available, the conference hosted a Nova Scotia style Kitchen Party meet and greet on the June 4 opening night, complete with a table top trade show on both days to give manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products, services and upcoming technologies. Thank you very much to our members, volunteers and sponsors including Dow Corning, Tremco, Alumicor, Safti First and Boon Edam. It was great to see everyone there.

Provincial Glaziers Association of Alberta
It has been pretty quiet on the PGAA front lately. Ross Wady of All Glass Parts in Edmonton is the new president of the PGAA. The PGAA had its AGM on March 12 in Red Deer, Alta. Elections were held and
Wady was elected president. Jim Brady will stay on as past president for two years.

The PGAA took part in the Provincial Skills Competition in Edmonton on May 14 and 15 as a “Try-A-Trade” exhibitor. This event is always very successful with over 600 students passing through our booth and learning about the glazing trade.

The PGAA’s annual golf tournament will be held at Riverbend Golf Course in Red Deer on August 14. We have made a change in venue where we will have an air-conditioned meeting room after the tournament. This golf course also offers the use of fairway-roaming carts.

Ontario Glass and Metal Association
The Workplace Safety and Accident Prevention group held a meeting at Tremco in January on the topic of violence and harassment policies and management’s obligations. The next meeting will be on contractor safety. Please check the OGMA website for updates. 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 at steve.ogm@bellnet.ca.

The Ontario Ministry of Labour announced in November, 2013, that all workplaces governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act must provide training for supervisors and workers by July 1, 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 the last issue of Glass Canada, we announced that in January, 2014, the OGMA reached agreement with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (formerly the IAPA) to proceed on the creation of a manual geared specifically for small and mid-sized glazing contractors and glass shops.  A draft prototype of the new OGMA/WSPS Glazing Contractor Health and Safety Manual was available for all participants to review at the Top Glass Conference and Exhibits event. This all-encompassing document will be of particular importance to companies who do not have a formal 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’re putting together a new event for this summer. Picture yourself pulling out of Port Credit harbour on a 40-foot fishing boat on 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.

We’re all set for Sept. 18 at a new OGMA golf venue, the Richmond Hill Golf Club. Mark your calendar now. Details will follow as the date approaches.

If you are conducting business in the glass industry in Ontario, the OGMA is the voice that represents your interests at the provincial and federal level.   Protect your business interests by becoming a member or as an associate member if you are a consultant to the industry.  Doug Morris is heading up membership for our association, so please contact him today at douglasmorris@rogers.com or visit the OGMA website.

To order the Ontario version of the Glazing Specifications Manual of Standards and Practices, visit www.ogma.ca . 

Atlantic Provincial Glazing Association
The APGA is proud to introduce its new board of directors for 2014: Mike Higgins of City Thermo Pane, president; Mario Arseneau of Royal Door, vice-president; Russell Lutes of Prelco Industries, treasurer; Dan Everson of Economy Glass, technical director; Shawn Wessel of RSVP Agencies, technical director; Tony Spurrell of Tremco (retired), membership director; David Boudreau of Alumicor, secretary; and David Squires of Old Castle BE, membership director.