Beyond muddy workboots and hand-warmers
Strada’s Alex Elzbet focuses on health and safety in a rapidly evolving industry
What is your position and what are your responsibilities?
I am the environmental, health, safety and security manager for both Strada Aggregates and Strada Crush based in Vaughan, Ontario. Strada Aggregates has 12 active locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), operating surface mine and aggregate depots. Strada Crush has 10 crushing units, working at our mines and depots as well as outside crushing jobs. My job is to manage the health and safety program for both companies as well as interfacing with marine vessels that bring in product. I ensure that the health and safety policies and procedures are up-to-date and reviewed yearly and deliver them through documentation, seminars, orientations and safety meetings. I regularly travel from site to site to conduct audits and communicate with employees. I am also the main contact for the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Transport Canada.
What is it about your job that other people wish they got to do?
I get to make a difference, making sure everyone stays safe. And to do so, I get to work with everyone at my two companies – from those in the main office to those on sites throughout the GTA and beyond. Outside my workplace, I interact with people in my industry and I participate on committees. I get to build relationships and learn about processes that allow me to serve my companies and the industry well.
What do you find most challenging in your work?
I think the most challenging part of my work is also what makes it most interesting. I manage my schedule to ensure I have enough time inside and outside of my office to stay on top of legislative changes and to deal with different inspectors, contractors and employees.
Describe your typical day on the job and how the work you do contributes to your company.
In this line of work, you try to keep the schedule you set for yourself, but one phone call happens and your whole day changes. Most days I start off with administrative work like answering emails, imputing site documents, reviewing policies and procedures, preparing safety talks, and answering questions. The second part of my day usually consists of going out to sites, conducting audits and sampling, giving site tours, and doing incident investigations. The most important part of my day, however, is catching up with employees. I always believe that ‘management-by-walking-around’ is the best way to learn what is happening at the site.
How did you get interested in this work?
During my last year of high school, I attended a post-secondary information session, not sure of what I wanted to study. I remember reading up on a few programs that interested me that included health and safety. But it was a field trip to an underground mine in North Bay that really piqued my interest in this field.
Detail your education and how it is relevant to your job.
I graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in environmental health, specializing in occupational health and safety. I enjoyed my time at Ryerson as some of the classes were hands-on, which really helped me understand the material. And as you must also stay current in this line of work, I still regularly attend training courses, webinars, and conferences such as Joint Health and Safety Committee Certification and Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities Train the Trainer, etc.
Where do you see the industry going in the next few years?
I see the industry evolving, especially technology-wise. We are starting to really understand the value of having an online program, such as online training courses. Also, I think recycled material will become more valuable in years to come. There is a misconception that recycled material is contaminated or dirty, but we take pride in ensuring that the material we produce is clean and reliable.
What advice would you give to others looking for a career in the aggregate industry?
The aggregate/construction industry is not just about muddy work boots and hand-warmers. It’s a very rewarding career, and overseeing the health and safety of its workforce is even more so. We will always need to build, and to do so we need aggregates and we need people.