CANMORE – A stop-work order issued to the Friends of Kananaskis Country is expected to be lifted this week by Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) after the non-profit organization put together a health and safety program for its volunteers.
The 115-page manual includes 12 elements, from hazard identification to safe work practices, and will ensure volunteers who work with the organization are aware of the risks and have the proper training and tools to work safely.
“I expect this week that our stop-work order will be lifted,” said Nancy Ouimet, executive director for the Friends of Kananaskis Country.
Last September, AEP issued a stop-work order for all “high risk” volunteer activities in provincial parks following the death of a volunteer in Cochrane.
The order was expanded in May to include all volunteer partners it works with so it could ensure volunteers working with Alberta Parks comply with the same occupational health and safety practices and procedures as its own staff.
The news initially caught many volunteer organizations off guard, including the Friends of Kananaskis Country, which relies on volunteers to carry out projects and programs such as building trails.
According to Ouimet, its health and safety manual includes identifying a wide range of hazards and ways to mitigate those risks.
“Everything you would expect is included in this manual,” said Ouimet, explaining it covers everything from weather and hand tools to how to the approach the work site safely.
To ensure volunteers are working safely, the Friends of Kananaskis Country and Greater Bragg Creek Trail Association, recently held annual crew leader training at the Canmore Nordic Centre.
“A big component in their roles and responsibility is health and safety,” said Ouiment, adding her organization has also made health and safety a key priority.
“It’s an organizational responsibility for us to build a culture of safety, but everybody has a responsibility to ensure the safety of themselves and everyone around them as well.”
The stop-work order is expected to be lifted just in time for its annual Trails Fest on June 10. The free event will be held at the Canmore Nordic Centre from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Besides a free barbecue lunch there will be lots of activities and 30 local clubs and organizations to connect with. Some of the activities will include learning how to use bear spray, joining a trail crew workshop as well as plogging, a Swedish term for an activity which combines running and picking up garbage.
At 11:30 a.m. there will also be a presentation about creating successful multi-use trails.
“It’s a celebration of Kananaskis trails, people and culture, but really it’s about uniting trail users,” said Ouimet.
For more information visit the organization’s website www.kananaskis.org.
