Several years ago, I was working on a commercial building project in South Common. It was a high-visibility site—surrounded by traffic and clearly visible from all directions. I had a strong sense that our site might draw the attention of Alberta OHS.
During our regular Thursday morning safety meeting, I warned the crew that there was a good chance we could receive a visit from an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) officer. And sure enough, later that day, an older gentleman in an orange hard hat introduced himself as an OHS officer there to conduct an inspection.
He was knowledgeable and professional. He pointed out a few minor infractions that were easily corrected, and overall, things were going smoothly. He asked to access the roof due to a reported concern that workers weren’t using fall protection. I explained that we had a clearly marked 2-metre control zone set back from the edge, and that all workers were trained to use fall protection when entering that area.
Everything was going well—until the unexpected happened.
A drywaller tied a rope to the handle of a chop saw and walked it to the edge of the roof, then lowered it down to the ground below. This clearly unsafe action immediately raised concerns. The officer reacted swiftly and sternly, explaining why this was unacceptable.
Unfortunately, before we could regroup, another worker walked up to the edge of the roof without fall protection. At that point, the officer issued a Stop Work Order, accompanied by a Client Contact Report (CCR) outlining what needed to be corrected before the order could be lifted.
Fortunately, I was able to quickly produce documentation from our safety meetings and training records to show that workers had been instructed on proper fall protection procedures. Because we were organized and cooperative, the Stop Work Order was lifted without delay.
Lessons Learned: Safety is for Everyone, Every Day
This situation was a strong reminder that safety protocols are only effective if every worker follows them—consistently. One unsafe action by a single worker can compromise an entire site and result in costly downtime or worse, serious injury. Managing contractors can be very challenging.
The OHS Officer
To the officer’s credit, he took the time to explain the process, the risks, and the steps needed to improve. It was a constructive visit that ultimately helped us tighten up our procedures.
We need more officers like him—firm but fair, with a focus on helping worksites improve, not just punishing mistakes.
What to Expect from an OHS Site Inspection
- Unannounced: OHS officers in Alberta can legally enter provincially regulated worksites at any reasonable hour without notice.
- Inspection Scope: They may:
- Take measurements, samples, photos, or recordings
- Interview workers
- Review documentation and safety systems
- Worker & Employer Obligations: Everyone present must cooperate and identify themselves if asked.
- Enforcement: Officers can issue orders (e.g., Stop Work Orders), administrative penalties, or request immediate corrective actions depending on the severity of violations.
We Can Help
At Safety Ahead Ltd., we’ve helped many clients respond to:
- OHS Client Contact Reports
- Stop Work Orders
- Serious incidents or complaints
- Contractor Compliance
We understand how stressful and disruptive these situations can be—and we’re here to support you through the process, ensure compliance, and strengthen your workplace safety culture.
Remember: safety isn’t a one-time task. It’s a daily responsibility.