5th Annual Heavy Metal Rocks
Kelowna, B.C. — A group of high school students from School District 23 is getting hands-on experience in the heavy construction industry over the next three days as part of the Heavy Metal Rocks program. The 28 students will learn to safely operate a wide variety of heavy construction equipment at the Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School training site near Winfield.
They've prepared for the work experience session by taking the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) program, Occupational First Aid (Level One) certification, and hearing tests. The students will also receive a safety talk from a WorkSafeBC officer.
"The students will be learning from experienced operators who also act as their mentors," says Chris Ovelson, School District 23's Career Programs consultant. "It's a great opportunity they normally wouldn't get in school."
"Heavy Metal Rocks gives young people a good foundation if they're considering a career in B.C.'s construction industry," says Shawn Mitton, WorkSafeBC regional prevention manager for the Kelowna area. "The safety training these students are receiving will also help prepare them for work."
Heavy Metal Rocks is sponsored by WorkSafeBC, School District 23, Interior Heavy Equipment Operator School Ltd., and approximately 50 local companies. The organizations and individuals involved volunteer hours of effort, as well as equipment and supplies to make the annual event a success.
WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves about 2.1 million workers and more than 210,000 employers. WorkSafeBC was born from the historic compromise between B.C.'s workers and employers in 1917, where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. WorkSafeBC is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.
Contact:
Media and Government Relations
Tel.: 604.276.3113