Author: Shelly W

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Just How Safe are Suncor Workers in Fort MacMurray?

Suncor workers, workplace safety
Suncor workers, workplace safety

 

Suncor workers must have safety training and follow strict workplace safety protocols, but just how safe are these employees? Another recent death puts the total number of Suncor workers who have died either at the company sites or close to them at 6 in 2014 so far. According to the President and CEO of Suncor, Steve Williams, “Incidents like these are unprecedented and not acceptable,. We have assembled a major task force to intensify safety efforts and ensure tragedies like these never happen again.” The most recent incident is suspected to have been a heart attack, when Suncor workers found the man around 3 in the morning and called paramedics to the scene. When the hazards of the work that is involved with the big energy companies are considered the number of workplace safety incidents and on the job accidents are still small.

Suncor workers are extensively trained in workplace safety, and some accidents are unavoidable. From all appearances so far the latest of the Suncor workers who have died on the job suffered from a heart attack, and there is not anything that the company can do about this health condition. If a heart attack was the cause of the latest death of Suncor workers on the job then it had nothing to do with workplace safety. Before this latest incident there were already 5 deaths on or near Suncor sites, three employees died, one each in three separate incidents, and two Suncor contractors died in two different incidents. Would you work for one of the big oil companies in Fort MacMurray?

 

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Enjoy a Unique and Exciting Trapline Experience from Fort MacMurray

trapline experience, Fort MacMurray
trapline experience, Fort MacMurray

 

A trapline experience can be a fantastic way to learn about the area and the natural wildlife, and it is an exciting opportunity for you to experience the traditional aboriginal ways and discover how many in the past survived in the harsh winter environment. Wood Buffalo Wilderness Tours offers a trapline experience during the winter months that allows you to explore the beauty of the area and learn how to set and recover traplines. The tour operators have been trapping in the region for close o eight decades, so they are very familiar with the local wildlife and the best places to set a trapline and get results. This can be an interesting and engaging experience for almost anyone, although young children may not be suitable due to the extreme temperatures and the extended time spent outdoors.

 

Whether you live in the Fort MacMurray area or you are only visiting for a short time you should not miss the trapline experience if you are in the region during the winter months. Wood Buffalo Wilderness Tours is a family owned and operated business, and the tour guides have extensive experience with the local area and the habits of the local wildlife. You may learn how to set a trapline so that you are successful, how to locate lines that you have already set in the past, and how to recover any catch safely. While you are on the tour you will also see many scenic views and incredibly beautiful places in the remote landscape.

 

 

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Fort MacMurray Safety Training

safety training, Fort MacMurray safety training
safety training, Fort MacMurray safety training

 

Anyone who works in Fort MacMurray or wants to find a job in this region may require some types of safety training and certification. Since some of the largest employers are the oil companies the type of safety training that is required will depend on the job classification that you are applying for. Some of the local employers may offer safety training and certification but this may not be enough to land the ideal job in the sector that you are hoping for. The usual advice is to get the safety training that you need for the job position that you want before you even fill out an electronic application. This will give you the best chance of landing your ideal job in the industry that you are considering.

 

Some of the safety training courses and certifications that may be helpful if you want to work in or near Fort MacMurray include:

 

  • Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
  • Oil Sands Safety Association (OSSA) Certification
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • H2S Alive
  • Fall Protection First Aid and CPR
  • Forklift and Bobcat Operator Certification
  • Bear Awareness & Safety
  • Chainsaw Safety
  • Fire Watch/Fire Safety
  • Training Safe Trenching, Excavation and Ground Disturbance
  • Fall Protection
  • Professional Drivers Improvement Course (PDIC)
  • Roadbuilders Safety Training System (RSTS)
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
  • Confined Space Entry/Monitor
  • Food Handling Safety
  • Snowmobile/ATV Rider Safety

 

Each employment position offered in and around Fort MacMurray may require one or more of these safety training courses and certifications.

 

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Fort MacMurray Employment: The Oil Companies

employment in Fort MacMurray, oil companies
employment in Fort MacMurray, oil companies

 

Many who live in Fort MacMurray or travel to this region are employed by one of the various oil companies in the region, but these companies have strict employment standards and there are a number of things that you should know ahead of time before you decide to head here. Do not expect to hit town and have a job with one of the big oil companies the same day, even though there is a boom in the region the employers are still cautious and will insist on a number of things from you. Have both hard copies of your resume and an electronic version, so that you can provide the format that an employer wants. Because a lot of the positions that need to be filled require specific safety training courses and knowledge you may have to wait a week or more before you can start even if you are hired fairly quickly.

 

Alcohol and drug screening are big priorities for the oil companies in the Fort MacMurray region, and you should expect to be tested up front before you can begin working or even be offered a position. Since most of the local oil companies allow electronic applications it is a good idea to apply online before you head out to the region. The largest employers in the Fort MacMurray region may not have a local office in the area, and an electronic application can help you speed up and streamline the process. This will also help you when you reach the interview stage because you may not have to travel as far.

 

 

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Rental Housing Costs and Opportunities in Fort MacMurray

Fort MacMurray, rentals in Fort MacMurray
Fort MacMurray, rentals in Fort MacMurray

 

Living in Fort MacMurray can be a fantastic experience as long as you are fully prepared, and the housing costs and opportunities in the area is an important consideration. What can you expect to pay when you rent a room? What are the typical hotel charges? How much does the average apartment cost each month? What should you expect to pay if you want to buy a home instead of renting or living out of a hotel? These are very good questions, and knowing the answers can help you evaluate the region more effectively. When you have the necessary information you can compare the various costs for different types of housing and then determine whether you want to move to the area, come for a visit, or stay away entirely.

 

For apartment rentals in Fort MacMurray right now there is only a 5% vacancy rate, and you can expect to pay high dollar for these opportunities. In order to rent an efficiency you can expect to pay around $1,450 per month as a baseline. One bedroom units will run around $1,750 minimum, and a two bedroom unit will start at $2,200 on average. If you need a three bedroom apartment then you should plan on spending at least $2,400 a month. You will find different amenities and features available, and some of these will cause the rent for the rental unit in Fort MacMurray to increase as a result. When you rent you are also usually expected to pay a damage deposit that is equal to one month of rent.

 

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Crime Facts In and Around Fort MacMurray

Fort MacMurray crime, criminals
Fort MacMurray crime, criminals

 

Fort MacMurray is a town that is booming, and workers with pockets flush with cash on payday from local oil company jobs have many options when it comes to spending their hard earned cash. The crime rate in Fort MacMurray is low, average, or high, depending on who you ask and what category of crime you are looking at. Drugs are a common problem, and many users can find their drug of choice whether this is the local bars and liquor stores or they are searching for meth, crack, powdered cocaine, ecstasy, or weed. In this respect Fort MacMurray is no different from a lot of other boom towns. There are usually a number of arrests each week, especially on payday and the next few days. Violent crime is still low in the area but there have been assaults, robberies, and even murders.

 

Many residents consider Fort MacMurray a safe place to live, and these people point out that most crime victims in the area were asking for trouble because they were drinking or using drugs and this led to the crime in question. When the bars close on payday the patrons may be somewhat rowdy as they leave, and there is plenty of evidence to show that prostitution is also a problem. A lot of the employees of the oil companies are men, and there is a shortage of female companionship due to the remote location and the tough life that many lead here. On payday it is possible to see women strolling the main streets outside of the strip club and other establishments, trying to make a living using one of the oldest professions in the book.