Paean to winter wood
RD: There was a time when almost every rural home had a woodshed – sometimes attached to the family house. If so, the “outhouse” would probably be back in a corner, so it wouldn’t be necessary to go outside to “go!” In the winter, a side of beef or pork would often be hung from the “carrying beam.” Us kids would throw the wood in through the “wood window” and pile it. Times change – not many woodsheds now.

D.C. Butterfield
Kilburn, N.B.

WOODSHED
by D.C. Butterfield

Nail heads are showing, through shingles turned brittle
If they haven’t blown off, from the roof saddle-backed
The eaves troughs are rotted, and parted in places
One end is buckled, and the rafters are cracked

Pigeons are preening, and field mice run rampant
There’s ants everywhere, and there’s bark all around
Rocks at the corners are frost-heaved and broken
The side sills are sagging, sinking into the ground

What’s left of a harness is mildewed and mouldy
Front doors are hanging from a busted old track
A grindstone, a whetstone, and a sawhorse all dusty
Grey boards are dangling, and the floor planks are slack

Swallows catch flies, and spiders spin freely
There’s holes that were windows, and once there was glass
The last of a woodpile, and chains lying rusted
An axe with no handle, and a wedge made of brass

His two-handed crosscut, now painted with flowers
Gone with the daughter when she went to the West
Burdocks and dogwoods, and the back hid in alders
Where once was a woodshed, now just shadows are guests!

For safety’s sake
RD: I read with interest Dan Haartman’s article, “Protection is the best investment,” in the December issue (“Mechanically Inclined,” pg. 14). The article provided a lot of important information for safety procedures that should be followed, whether working in industry, on the farm, or at home.

Safety awareness has come a long way during the last 15 years, for good reason. Before that time there was not much safety training in the workplace. As far back as 50 years ago, companies like Imperial Oil had stringent safety procedures, and there was a slogan: “Safety first.”

Most people had to learn from their mistakes. Although we still learn from our mistakes, it is not a good way to learn safe work practices, as sometimes these mistakes can cause serious injuries or a fatality.

The provincial department of labour has developed safety regulations, and enforces penalties for infractions. The Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations has stepped up (through its provincial federations like Construction Safety Nova Scotia) to provide safety training and programs for all aspects of construction work, which includes safety training for employees and safety certification for employers. The province and most municipalities now require contractors to have COR (Certificate of Recognition) certification in order to bid on contracts.

Development of a safe workplace requires a change of attitude by an employer and employees. Employers at first were concerned about the cost of all this safety training and safety equipment. They didn’t realize the total cost of an accident. In addition to the cost of repairs required, there is the cost of downtime to the operation and an increase in insurance and workers’ compensation rates. There is a saying: “How come we don’t have the time to do a job right, but we always have time to do it over?”

For employees, at first, some objected to safety training and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), as they felt that the employer was forcing them to do something that was foolish and unnecessary. Some employees would state, “I’ve done it this way for 30 years and didn’t get in trouble.” In most cases, they were just plain lucky.

But working safely is about attitude. In my experience in developing a safety program for safety certification for the company, there is a requirement to interview 10 percent of your employees. In my case, I had to interview two employees. To test the program, I decided to interview the two that I thought would be the most difficult. At the end of the interviews, each one, on their own, stated, “Thanks for taking an interest in me.” That sold me on the benefits of, and the reason for, a good safety program.

In the past, business owners have stated, “I’m not going to develop a safety program, as I don’t want to be responsible.” Guess what – you are responsible, and if you don’t have a good safety program, you will be subject to being penalized. Also, you are not looking out for the well-being of your employees.

As Dan Haartman reported in his article, always take time to put on your personal protective equipment, no matter how small a task you are doing. Don’t take shortcuts, and don’t rush, unless it is an emergency. All pieces of equipment now come with operational and safety instructions. Read and heed.

Whether at work or at home, be extra careful when using ladders. Working off of ladders is one of the most common causes of accidents. Make sure a ladder is properly secured, and don’t overextend your reach.

For an employer or a homeowner, it is good advice to hire a responsible contractor to perform jobs such as roofing. Make sure that they are safety certified and have workers’ compensation. If not, you have become the general contractor and are fully responsible in case of an accident.

For a safety program under the provincial construction safety association, the first step is to perform a comprehensive hazard assessment of your operation. This is a process in which you look at every job function of your operation, identify the hazards, and set out the actions required to deal with each hazard. This would include safeguards on equipment, safe operation, safety training, appropriate PPE, and signage. Developing a comprehensive hazard assessment for a farm operation is very important – especially for working around equipment and silos, for instance.

“Safety first” is still a good motto.

Bob Taylor
Truro, N.S.