Sep 11, 2023
When it comes to students learning skilled trades like welding, the importance of safe learning environments cannot be overstated. Safety is paramount in any educational setting, especially where students work with high temperatures, sparks, and potentially hazardous materials. Instilling safety practices early in young welders requires their paths to be paved with safety at every step. Safety is a foundation for effective learning, enabling students to focus on honing their skills and gaining practical experience without compromising their health. Prioritizing safe learning environments in educational institutions is a must in order to guarantee the health and safety of students and promote a positive atmosphere conducive to growth and professional development.
Our CWB WeldSAFE™ program is pivotal in enhancing learning environments across Canada. This one-of-a-kind program directly addresses the safety concerns within welding classrooms by providing brand-new Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and facilitating comprehensive, on-site technical safety reviews. Eligible schools participating in the program receive class sets of welding-specific PPE kits tailored to their classroom needs, ensuring every student has access to appropriate safety gear. Additionally, the program offers a free workshop safety review conducted by experienced CWB engineering inspectors who thoroughly examine the shop infrastructure and equipment and identify potential safety issues and opportunities to enhance the student experience.
Eye-Opening Results
Since its launch in October 2022, the CWB WeldSAFE program, in partnership with CWB Consulting, has conducted 47 safety reviews, uncovering issues in participating school classrooms ranging from aging equipment to potentially harmful material storage. The results have been quite revealing since many participants are experiencing a safety review for the first time.
The findings have revealed a stark reality: classroom equipment used for welding is falling into disrepair. Due to limited budgets, schools often need help to fund repairs or replacements, making it difficult to maintain a safe learning environment. The CWB WeldSAFE program has shed light on the urgent need for support and resources to ensure aspiring welders learn in an environment that prioritizes their safety and well-being. The key findings are as follows:
- The most common problem identified is the need for adjustments to oxyfuel equipment used to fuel welding torches. Manyparticipating schools require corrective measures to this equipment to prevent any potential accidents or injury. This issue is particularly serious, as any malfunction or improper handling of the equipment could lead to explosions, skin irritation, or dangerous inhalation of oxyacetylene gas.
- Other notable findings include the need for adjustments to old but usable PPE (30 per cent), general repairs to welding equipment (27 per cent), and repair of protective curtains in welding bays (23 per cent).
- Some schools also require adjusting cylinder storage methods (14 per cent) and line torches (11 per cent), ensuring the safe handling and storage of gases.
Overcoming Funding Challenges
Due to limited financial resources, addressing repairs and replacements in welding classrooms remains an ongoing challenge. However, the CWB Foundation provides solutions to support schools in maintaining their learning environments. Schools are encouraged to apply for our Capital Equipment and Consumables Grant, a funding opportunity that can cover the costs associated with safety reviews, necessary repairs, equipment replacements, and more. This grant empowers schools to proactively address safety concerns, ensuring student safety and continued education. Additionally, schools can submit class projects for a Forged By Youth Award ranging from $15,000 for first place to $1,000.
The comprehensive safety reviews conducted through the CWB WeldSAFE program have shed light on safety issues often hidden in plain view and emphasize the critical need to stay on top of classroom repairs and improvements. By addressing these findings promptly, we can safely prepare youth for what lies ahead, impart best safety practices and ensure everyone makes it home at the end of the day.
Safety is a joint effort between industry and education. It is with partners like the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, AltaGas, and the Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) and their commitment to safety that makes this one-of-a-kind initiative possible.
To learn more about the CWB WeldSAFE program and how you can support this initiative, visit cwbweldingfoundation.org/programs/cwb-weldsafe/.