Key Takeaways
- Renokrew wrapped up its April to May Safety Month campaign with new initiatives and practical tools focused on real site impact
- Field teams participated in short video stories, toolbox talks, and honest discussions about equipment, mental health, and everyday habits
- The company reinforced its safety commitment with COR certification and ISO 45001:2018 – while addressing real industry challenges like language barriers and inspection accountability
This spring, we wrapped up Safety Month with conversations that mattered to our teams and across our sites. The goal wasn’t to hit a quota. It was to bring safety back to where it belongs: the people doing the work. We got out to sites, checked in with teams, and started real conversations. ⬇️
Renokrew Safety Videos: "Safety Check in 60 Secs"
“Our goal this Safety Month was simple: to listen closely, be proactive, and empower our teams with the training, tools, and resources they need. These conversations and initiatives are our foundation as we build a safer future for all - together.”
Each video captured authentic conversations about crucial onsite safety habits, common safety myths, and essential tools that crews rely on daily. These short clips offered relatable and practical guidance directly from those who know construction sites best.
- What’s one safety habit you never skip?
- What’s a common safety myth on-site?
- How do we protect new workers?
- What’s one thing you do to keep your team safe each day?
Watch the videos on our LinkedIn page. Our teams shared personal quotes on why safety matters to them. These powerful messages reinforced that everyone, at every level, contributes to our collective safety.
1. Run for a Cause
Recognizing the critical link between physical safety and mental health, Renokrew teams participated in the Toronto Marathon to raise awareness and funds for SickKids Hospital. The initiative also extended to supporting cancer research through local charity partnerships, reflecting Renokrew’s deep commitment to community initiatives beyond jobsite safety.
2. Day of Mourning
On April 28, we paused across all sites, reflecting on workers impacted by workplace incidents. This powerful reminder reinforced our collective commitment to preventing harm. Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
Behind the Scenes: Challenges We’re Owning
We didn’t just talk wins. We talked work-in-progress.
- Language barriers: With a diverse workforce, safety gets lost in translation. We now provide orientations in Italian and Portuguese, and we’re improving early-stage planning to identify translation needs.
- Use of PPE: We continue to push daily reminders and enforcement, but we know this comes down to habits. Our supervisors and safety team are working closely in the field to check in, rather than check boxes.
- Pre-use equipment inspections: We’ve custom built our own forms and inspections for all major equipment types – But having templates isn’t enough. We’re now working on more oversight to ensure reports are reviewed, issues flagged, and that both operators and nearby workers are trained and competent.
Renokrew Safety Awards
Awarded by the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) and recognized by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA), this certification confirms Renokrew’s compliance with a nationally recognized standard for health and safety excellence
Renokrew have successfully achieved ISO 45001:2018 certification earlier this year, a significant milestone that reflects our commitment to workplace health, safety, and continuous improvement.
Read more here: A New Safety Milestone: ISO 45001:2018 Certification
People Feature
Vanessa has over 20 years of experience in occupational health and safety and has been a driving force at Renokrewsince 2023, helping to guidemultiple projects along the way.
She played a key role in helping Renokrew achieve both COR® and ISO 45001:2018 certification – marking major milestones in our safety journey. From improving how we train and communicate onsite, to building trust across teams, her work reflects what safety is really about: people. We’re proud to recognize her leadership and impact.
What’s next?
This year, we’ve added new tools, opened the follow for further discussions, and backed it all with action. But we know there’s more to learn. It’s something we shape every day through feedback, honest moments, and the choices we make on-site.
That’s why we’re continuing to:
- Bring in expert voices to lead deeper conversations on mental health, workplace respect, and safety leadership
- Opening space for ideas that come from the field
- Continue to listen, adjust, and ensure safety remains at the forefront
- Continuing the Toolbox Talks with key safety topics: power tools, working at heights, excavation and trenching, heavy equipment awareness
Because at the end of the day, the strongest thing we can build is a team that feels safe, supported, and heard.
To all the team members who made time to engage and speak up, we thank you. 🫴
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Maxine Noel/ Ioyan Mani, all artwork photographed by Bryn Gladding Fine Art & Photograph