b'OSSGA SUPPORTSUPPORTING MEMBERSHIPFaced with a global pandemic, OSSGA takes steps to help its members navigate through the new normalW hileitsimpossibletotiononhowdailygovernmentupdatesindirectresponsetorequestsfromour predicthowanindustrywere,andstillare,affectingtheaggre- membershipforeasyandready-to-use willrespondtosuddengateindustry.materials they could quickly implement to economic,socialandhelp provide a safe working environment healthchallenges,theWe made the decision to increase ourfor all.aggregate industry found itself in a uniqueeffortstoensuremembersweregiven and fortunate situation back in March 2020the most up-to-date information and howLONG-LASTING BUSINESS PRACTICESwhen the Ontario government announceditmayormaynotaffecttheirbusiness.From OSSGAs website to the development its preliminary list of essential businessesKeeping on top of the news cycle and actingofnewmaterialsandresourcesasnew and services.as a bridge between members helped theinformation was presented by government industry to adapt as a whole, says Normand health experts, it became clear in the YetwhiletheaggregatessectorwasCheesman, executive director of OSSGA. earlyweeksoftheCOVID-19pandemic deemedanessentialservice,operationsthatincreasedcommunicationandnew were still affected by the overall economicCLEAR DIRECTIONS approachestohealthandsafetydonot stall-out. As such, the COVID-19 pandemicPartofOSSGAsoverallplanwastobecomeobsoletewhenthepandemic provided an opportunity for the industryprovide clear messages and directions fromrelents. In fact, one of the biggest lessons to step back and assess its operational andthe outset on how to develop, implementfor OSSGAs team and members was the health and safety practices, and for OSSGAand maintain new health and safety prac- potential sustainability of these practices to embrace the challenge and support itstices at work sites. This included a socialin the seasons to come. membership. It did so by focusing on themediacampaigncentredaroundSafety following key areas. First Alerts that delivered clear and conciseWhateverthefutureholds,amore directions for actions tied to hygiene, disin- direct approach to health and safety and INCREASED COMMUNICATIONfecting, distancing, communication, sched- communication can only help our members Anabundanceofinformationfromauling, equipment use, and more. The alertsastheyadjusttoanewnormal,says wide variety of news sources and expertswere supplemented with printable postersGeorgeLourencoofCapitalPavingInc. required a balanced approach from OSSGAandmaterialsformembersworkplaces,and chair of OSSGAs Board of Directors. Ourcommitmentistothehealthand to ensure members had the most relevanttraining presentations on distancing, sani- resiliency of our members, meeting their andapplicableinformationtheyneeded.tization and mental health.needs, voicing their concerns. If it helps OSSGAmadethemovetoincreaseeverysingleworkerstayhealthyand communications through its major chan- The health and safety of our membersinformed, were doing our job.nels,includingemail,newsletters,socialand their employees is paramount, says Jim media,timelywebsiteupdates,andlivePetrella of Dufferin Aggregates and chairTo learn more about OSSGAs industry response videomeetings.Thishelpedtheassocia- of OSSGAs Health & Safety Committee.during the pandemic, please visit ossga.com/tion deliver clear messaging and informa- Developmentoftheseresourceswascoronavirus.FALL 2020AVENUES 15'