Stop‑work orders issued following propane facility blast
Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) branch has halted certain operations following an explosion that injured three employees late last month, according to a report.
In our Flex Insights series, FlexManager leaders share their perspectives on key topics to provide context for organisations to guide them in driving smarter, safer, and more efficient operations. Watch the full conversation with George and Peter as they discuss digital transformation in organisations, the resistance to change, and the “win-win” scenarios that can arise from streamlining processes through digitalisation.
Many organisations believe they face resistance to change. Teams become comfortable with the familiar, even when inefficiencies are well known. That “devil you know” mindset is common across industries, and it slows the appetite for improvement.
But meaningful transformation doesn’t require massive, immediate overhauls. As George highlights:
“If you bite off more than you can chew, it’s going to fail. But if you bite off enough to succeed, you get quick wins, and that gives you traction to get the buy-in and headspace to embrace phase 2.”
A key part of this progress is understanding the purpose behind the change. Is it better data? Faster workflows? A more streamlined, safer process?
Clarity of purpose is essential. Whether the goal is better data, faster workflows, or improved consistency, the intention behind change determines the approach.
“What we want is to let people be evaluating the risk in what they’re about to do. The document or the paperwork should be the streamlined part. You should get more quality coming out because we are allowing people to focusing on the process, not the paperwork.”
One of the most important messages from the conversation is the value of starting with the end in mind. Clear outcomes shape better processes, stronger foundations, and more reliable data.
“Nine times out of ten, the process starts at the end. You wouldn’t build a house without understanding the roof, because the roof will determine the foundations and the structure. The last thing we want to do is have to go back to the start to change that process because we missed something.”
Manitoba’s Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) branch has halted certain operations following an explosion that injured three employees late last month, according to a report.
Paper-based documentation and processes limited visibility and the tracking of quality audits, non-conformances, and equipment status across different buildings. Preventative maintenance was difficult to prioritise, track, and report on. As the organisation continued to grow, maintaining consistent health and safety practices and quality standards became increasingly challenging.
Compliance audits, incident investigations, and safety management all hinge on accurate, real-time location data. Yet, many organizations still rely on manual tracking, spreadsheets, or outdated systems, which can lead to gaps in compliance, delayed responses to incidents, and unnecessary operational risk. Geolocation technology is emerging as a gamechanger, offering the ability to monitor, verify, and manage workforce and assets with precision and accountability.
Job Hazard Analysis, Pre-task Planning, Safe Work Plan. Different organisations undertake the same process, but have different naming regimens. No matter what you call it, we have it covered through our Job Risk Management (JRM) module.
Thousands more young people will be given the opportunity to train as bricklayers, plumbers and engineers as the government creates 13,000 apprenticeship and T Level placement opportunities as part of its plan to transform school buildings.
Previously, we explored why Speak Up Safety matters. Understanding the risks of silence, the benefits of early reporting, and the role of culture sets the stage. Now, the focus shifts to how to put this into practice. Culture doesn’t change through slogans or posters. It changes when employees feel safe, supported, and confident that reporting hazards leads to action.
Safety observations are proactive reports of hazards, near-misses, or unsafe behaviours. When captured effectively, they can prevent incidents before they occur. Encouraging employees to consistently share observations, especially if they are anonymous, is often a challenge.
The UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs published their Policy Paper entitled: "PFAS Plan: Building a safer Future together" on February 3rd.
Last week, the Canadian Construction Safety Council (CCSC) released its Critical Risks Guideline, a framework designed to prevent serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) in the sector.
In high-risk industries, most serious incidents are preceded by warning signs such as near misses, unsafe behaviours, or hazards that someone noticed but did not report. Employees often stay silent because they are unsure how to raise concerns, fear blame, or believe nothing will change.
Last week, we were delighted to present prizes to the winners of the Shannon Region Open Water Swim League (SROWSL), an event we’re proud to sponsor. Congratulations to the overall 2025 winner, Cormac Lyons of Limerick Masters, along with all the swimmers who took part across the league.
Q1 is often a time when HSEQ or EHS professionals evaluate the different systems that they have in place for the running of their day-to-day operations. With a fresh perspective on what objectives are being prioritised for the year ahead, utilising an occupational health and safety (OHS) solution can make the difference. Here are 3 such solutions that you can put into focus to ensure your health and safety objectives are not only met, but surpassed.
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