Security Matters. (TM)
By Darren Scott, Resource Planning Coordinator
Did you know there is an instruction video on how to use the inTime App? If you’re having difficulties or curious of the various functions available, follow this link for more information.
https://fast.wistia.net/embed/channel/6gne3j7rlf
By Darren Scott, Resource Planning Coordinator
During peak times of the day, you may be waiting on hold to speak with a Resource Planner. We are all busy in our day-to-day lives and this may cause some frustration. If you require immediate attention, you can alternatively contact your direct Supervisor or Manager. We also encourage you to email your requests and inquiries to scheduling@security-asp.com. This address is monitored from 05:00-00:00 every day and you can expect a reply within 12-24 hours depending on volume. Your questions and requests are important to us and we will do our best to respond as soon as possible.
By Laurel Woodhouse, Health and Safety Manager
What is a Joint Health and Safety Committee?
A joint health and safety committee ( JHSC) is a forum for bringing the internal responsibility system into practice.
The committee consists of labour and management representatives who meet on a regular basis to deal
with health and safety issues.
The advantage of a joint committee is that the in-depth practical knowledge
of specific tasks (labour) is brought together with the larger overview of company policies, and procedures
(management). Another significant benefit is the enhancement of cooperation among all parts of the work force toward solving health and safety problems. In smaller companies with fewer than a specified number of employees, a health and safety representative is generally required. Consult health and safety legislation applicable to your workplace for details.
Who is responsible for establishing a JHSC?
Employer
What does the JHSC do?
• Recognize workplace hazards
• Evaluate the hazards and risk that may cause incidents, injuries and illness
• Participate in development and implementation of programs to protect the employees’ safety and health
• Respond to employee complaints and suggestions concerning safety and health
• Ensure the maintenance and monitoring of injury and work hazards records
• Monitor and follow-up hazard reports and recommend action
• Set up an promote programs to improve employee training and education
• Participate in safety and health inquires and investigations, as appropriate (Not Workplace Violence and Harassment investigations – for confidentiality reasons)
• Consult with professional and technical experts
• Participate in resolving workplace refusals and work stoppages
• Make recommendation to management for incident prevention and safety program activities.
• Monitor effectiveness of safety programs and procedures
Legislation Requirements for Health and Safety Committees
| When do I need one? | Size of Committee | Representation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Mandatory – 20 or more employees | At least 2 | At least half to represent employees |
| British Columbia | Mandatory – when there are 20 or more employees or when “required by order” | Not less than 4 | At least one half must be worker representatives |
| Alberta | Mandatory – 20 or more employees, or when ordered by Minister, or where a designated substance is in use (no minimum number of employees) | At least 2 (fewer than 50 employees); At least 4 (50 or more employees | At least half to represent employees |
| Quebec | 20 or more employees and where required by CNESST* | At least 4 | At least half to represent employees |
| New Brunswick | Mandatory – 20 or more employees | As agreed upon by employees and employer | Equal Representation |
| Nova Scotia | Mandatory – 20 or more employees | As agreed upon by employees and employer | At least half to represent employees |
• YYC –Management Matt Szajkowski, Tamara Juniper Employees Radowan Chowdhury, and Mohamad Miah
• YSB – Not required under 20 employees
• YYZ – Employees Yavar Qadri, Ethilda Donkor, Sayeed Khan, Management Noman Butt, Jason Zapata and Laurel Woodhouse
• RES /CIC–Will be holding an election in the near future
• Crossing Guards – in-active until September 2021
• K9 – Will be holding an election in the near future
• YOW – Closed
• Billy Bishop Airport – Closed
• In most Canadian jurisdictions, the legally recognized communication channel on safety matters is between the worker and the supervisor. Workers are to report unsafe acts and conditions initially to their immediate supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for acting on such reports and for directing safe work procedures. Committee members should not interfere with this process, except under special circumstances, such as cases of imminent danger where immediate corrective action is necessary.
• It must be clearly understood by all concerned that the employer’s responsibility for safety is in no way diluted or diverted with the formation of a joint health and safety committee.
• Ensuring compliance with safety regulations and procedures is the supervisor’s job while the committee member’s role is more that of an observer and advisor.
• Effective two-way communication ensures that workers are aware of committee activities and gives them an opportunity to contribute ideas to the committee.
• UNIONIZED SETTINGS: Union support of its members on a joint health and safety committee can be evaluated by the way in which members are appointed, the amount of education provided on union health and safety policies, assisting the attendance of members to health and safety seminars, and help given in situations where a problem has occurred in making committee recommendations.
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hscommittees/measure.html
By Trisha Murray, Canine Division
The ASP Canine unit has undergone explosive gr owth (haha) in recent months. In response to new regulations set out by Transport Canada, the air cargo industry is preparing for new cargo screening standards, among those, canine explosive dog detection. ASP will be the provider of choice for what we hope will be many of the major cargo carriers in Canada.
The ASP Canine unit has undergone explosive gr owth (haha) in recent months. In response to new regulations set out by Transport Canada, the air cargo industry is preparing for new cargo screening standards, among those, canine explosive dog detection. ASP will be the provider of choice for what we hope will be many of the major cargo carriers in Canada.
FedEx
Our first major account in the area of cargo screening is FedEx. To prepare for EDD screening services at FedEx we have recently hired more than thirty new canine handlers. Our handlers will work at locations across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to start.
Train, Train, Train
Recruiting and Management have been sourcing and hiring passionate and talented new handlers throughout the spring. Our trainers are running 8 week courses in both Toronto and Ottawa to prepare our new handlers and our new canines for certification with Transport Canada this summer. The certification is a requirement and will be renewed annually.
Fun Facts
A dog’s sense of smell is at least 40 times better than ours. They can hear roughly 4 times further than humans. They have 18 muscles controlling their ears! And if that weren’t talent enough, dogs can sniff and breathe at the same time.
Dog Joke of the Day
Why was the dog such a good storyteller?He knew how to paws for dramatic effect.
By Vince Bozzo, Senior Director of Operations
On December 21, 2020 ASP was awarded a new contract with FedEx Canada to provide Explosive Detection Dogs in Eastern Canada at nearly 20 FedEx locations in four provinces. Our team was so excited to start our relationship with FedEx, but we knew how much work it would be! Working closely with our ICTS family, we started to plan the necessary training and acquisition of our dogs, recruitment and hiring of 30 new ASP employees, planning for operation in four provinces and of course working for Transport Canada Certification by July 1, 2021!
We couldn’t have done it without the help of so many ASP employees. Our Canine division worked hard assisting our new handlers, our Trainers worked tirelessly with consultants to ensure all of our new handlers were ready for FedEx. And of course so many other departments like Finance, Human Resources, Security, Resource Planning and Administration all stepped up to help in any way they could assist. The ASP Family was amazing. I am so proud on Thursday June 10, 2021 our new Canine handlers officially graduated from our ASP Training program and are ready to commence their careers at our partners locations. Congratulations to all of our new ASP employees and Thank you to each and every one of our ASP and ICTS family for your help and guidance.
Congratulations!!!
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Robert (Bob) Watson. Bob had been with ASP since we were awarded the contract in 2018 but has been working at the airport for many years before that. Bob was a friendly, easy-going man who was known and loved by almost everyone at the airport, not just ASP. He will be missed by everyone here at YYC.
“Bob was a friendly, easy-going man who was known and loved by almost everyone at the airport”
By Matthew Szajkwoski, Operations Manager
I want to start with thanking the entire ASP team at YYC for doing a such a great job over the last quarter. The last year and a half has been difficult on everyone but thankfully we are reaching a point where vaccines are rolling out and restrictions are being eased. Although Covid-19 will likely be with us for a long-time, it is exciting to slowly return to a normal life. A life without restrictions and one where we can socialize and be with friends and family – and eventually start travelling again!
The ASP team at YYC has done a fantastic job during this pandemic and I fully expect this to continue in post-pandemic times. As travel restrictions start to ease, we should start to see an increase in flights and traffic at all airports, including YYC. This is where I expect this team to continue building on the progress we have made so far and make this team, and the operation, even better. If we succeeded during these tough times, there is no reason why we can’t thrive during the good times.
Over the last few months, we have seen changes to several procedures here at YYC (including SOC in our daily Terminal Patroller meeting, increasing supervisor and management post visits, having Terminal Patrollers assist posts during peak times, etc.). As a result, we have seen a positive trend in our overall performance and the client is very happy with our progress. This is the success we need to continue to build on. We have momentum in our favour right now, let’s use it to really stand out and show everyone what the ASP team at YYC in really capable of.
“The YYC has done a fantastic job during this pandemic”
By Garinder Grewal, Operations Manager
We are both delighted and disheartened to announce the retirement of our Access Control guard Vinod Manchanda. Vinod has been an outstanding part of our organization since January of 2008 and an Access Control guard at Toronto Pearson since August 2004.
Vinod has been a tremendous employee and an integral part of our company for the last 13 years. His contribution will always be valued. His hard work, commitment, dedication, and punctuality will be greatly are worthy of admiration. Filling his shoes will be an almost impossible task.
On behalf of everyone at ASP Inc, I would like to thank him for his years of service and wish him the best of luck.
“On behalf of everyone at A.S.P. Inc. I would like to thank Vince for his years of service and wish him best of luck”
By Norman Butt, Operations Manager
I am pleased to announce that Tyler Hilderbrandt has been promoted to the Supervisor role at the YSB airport on May 28, 2021. Tyler is very passionate about customer service and being part of the Security team at ASP. Tyler started his ASP Journey as a guard on Nov 1st 2018 when ASP acquired the contract. He worked his way from a guard to become a lead. He was selected by YSB authorities and ASP to assist the supervisor with annual parking and training of new employees for their AVOP. Tyler went above and beyond to assist the new manager on-site while he was training. In addition to his duties, he was selected as a health and safety rep for YSB. In Feb 2021, he was placed in the pass control office and was in charge of various duties assigned by YSB. In May 2021, Tyler applied for the site supervisor at YSB. We are very proud of Tyler’s achievements and are looking forward to seeing his continued growth within our organization. We wish Tyler the best of success in the new Supervisor role.
By Daniel McCormack, Quality Control Manager
Hello ASP! Hard to believe it’s been another quarter. I’m sure you feel like the most recent newsletter was only last week. It’s amazing how quickly times flies, isn’t it? It’s this that I want to speak to you about. At least for me, a day whizzes by at light speed, and there is never time to finish it all. Sometimes it tires you right out. I know that at YYC, it is always busy—we are like bees in a hive when we are getting the job done. All well and good, but what I want to discuss is how important it is to disconnect after work as much as it is to be engaged while at work.
We have a wide range of duties that we must perform during each shift, and regular breaks are a must. Whether it be access control, patrolling, escorting, you name it, when at work, we need to be 100% switched on so we don’t cause any errors. It’s not an easy task, especially when duties pull us in multiple directions, when deadlines are on top of us, requests, additional taskings—it’s the nature of our jobs that we are always doing something and there is extremely little down time, and even then, there’s something that we can do.
When the whistle blows at the end of the day, I encourage you to relax, put the phone on silent, curl up with a good book, watch a tv show, play a game, coffee with friends, time with family—whatever it is you like to do that isn’t work, do it! Schedule a part of day during your rotation that allows you to step away; take that break and go meditate, go outside, breathe deeply and ground yourself. Disconnecting from the work world at the end of the day, and taking time to decompress is healthy, it promotes positive associations with your schedule and most importantly, it refreshes you.
The idea is that we need to do everything in moderation which goes for work as well. I say this to you with the hope that it strikes a chord and reminds you to take your health seriously and take time to find balance. What do I do to disconnect and relax? I grab my favorite beverages, get some fresh ingredients from the store, cook up a storm and invite my friends over for games night. From me to you—the secret to balance is to visit your happy place every day. Until next time, take care of yourselves!
