June 18, 2012 – The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) has located a training facility in Thunder Bay, Ont., within Confederation College’s Dorion Building. “This will make state-of-the-art training more accessible for workers and employers in the Thunder Bay area and will help ensure that everyone gets the information they need to work safe for life,” said IHSA CEO Al Beattie.

IHSA was formed in January 2010 by amalgamating the Construction Safety Association of Ontario (CSAO), Electrical & Utilities Safety Association of Ontario (E&USA) and Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO), and is dedicated to health & safety training in high-risk work environments, including working at heights, working with high-voltage electricity, transportation of dangerous goods, etc.

“We are seeing a growing number of students within the school and it is paramount that health and safety training be ingrained. The location of this training facility on our site for industry use goes far to instituting a safe work culture within tomorrow’s workers,” said Don Bernosky, vice-president, Regional Workforce Development.

As part of Ontario’s health and safety system, IHSA is recognized by the ministries of labour, transportation, and training, colleges & universities—as well as the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board—as designated trainers and consultants. IHSA is also an accredited training agent for Powerline Technician Apprenticeship.

“This is an important expansion of IHSA service to the construction industry in the Thunder Bay area. Contractors will be able to improve their health and safety programs with local training and safety consulting. This will meet the safety needs of the expected growth in Northwestern Ontario due to an increase in construction projects related to mining,” said Harold Lindstrom, manager of the Construction Association of Thunder Bay.