Many people wouldn’t consider Red Deer a manufacturing hub. The Manufacturers’ Health and Safety Association thinks otherwise.
MHSA, whose mandate is to improve work site wellness and reduce occupational injuries and illness in the manufacturing industry, opened an office in the city last Tuesday. It’s only the association’s third office, with the others in Edmonton and Rocky View County.
“It’s time to be there,” said Lorne Kleppe, MHSA’s executive director.
“Over the last few years what we’ve seen is an increase in demand for our services in Red Deer. So we’re answering the need by having a staff person there in Red Deer.”
A non-profit organization, MHSA provides health and safety training, on-site health and safety auditing and even has a safety adviser for hire, said Kleppe.
“If an employer needs assistance building their program, they can hire us to come in and be their consulting service at a very low rate.
“What we’ve become over the years is really a one-stop shop for anything and all to do with health and safety type issues.”
The association has been conducting courses in Red Deer on a regular basis, said Kleppe. Meanwhile, local demand for its services is growing, he added.
“Red Deer’s always been busy for us, but for the last 15 months we’ve seen a significant increase in business and employers asking for assistance.”
MHSA will share office space with the Central Alberta Rural Manufacturers Association (CARMA) at No. 9, 4646 Riverside Dr. It will be there represented by Tanya Peerce, a safety adviser who previously worked at MHSA’s Edmonton office.
Kleppe said Peerce should be able to build relationships with employers in Red Deer and throughout the region. He’s already noticed an increase in employers from outlying communities that are registering for courses through the new office.
“They all seem to be feeding into that Red Deer marketplace right now.”
MHSA presents courses to groups of employers, or will deliver them to a business on-site, said Kleppe. Its focus is manufacturers — from steel fabricators to furniture producers — but it also supports employers in industries like construction, and oil and gas.
“We open the door for any employer to come in and receive health and safety training,” he said.
“Many of our programs are generic.”
Additional information about the Manufacturers’ Health and Safety Association can be found online at www.mhsa.ab.ca.
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com