Crew member holding Mi-Promise coin on a pipeline job in Canada.

Commitment

Safety

Award-winning safety is in our culture.

We have a reputation for taking on challenging jobs, often working within or near sensitive environments. Michels Canada expects complete natural resource protection on all our Canadian construction projects. We aim to promote environmental stewardship beyond regulatory requirements in our business and community relationships with proactive actions that benefit the environment. Our environmental program promotes good corporate citizenship and environmental leadership for a healthy Canadian ecology.

Michels MI-Promise

We ask our team to make a promise to themselves to refuse work they feel is unsafe or they are not qualified to perform. Promises are made without fear of disciplinary action or other retribution.

Stop work Promise

All our people make a promise to stop or not perform any work or action that may be unsafe, whether on the job or in their personal lives.

Pat Michels speaks at a Safety Celebrations for employees and their families at offices and project yards throughout North America.

HSE Cornerstones

Just as a cornerstone is a foundation on which a structure rests in construction, we developed and implemented Michels Cornerstones of Health, Safety, and Environmental to provide our people with 10 actionable ways to demonstrate safety-first actions.

HSE Policy Statement

10 Safety-first Actions

Energy Isolation and Control

Always verify hazardous energy sources, including gravity, are controlled. Position yourself and others to avoid danger should a release of energy occur.

Driving

Always inspect your vehicle to ensure it is in safe and compliant condition prior to use, possess a property and valid license, drive free of impairments, operate defensively, avoid distractions, wear your seatbelt and travel at a safe speed.

Excavation Work

Always have trenches and excavations inspected to ensure proper protection, access and egress prior to entry.

Ground Disturbance

Always plan ground disturbance activities, locate and positively identify all utilities prior to digging and drilling, and protected any exposed utilities.

Incident Reporting

Always immediately report all injuries, spills and incidents to your supervisor and HSE representative.

Equipment Operations

Always adhere to company policies and manufacturers’ recommendations for inspection and safe operation of equipment. Only operate equipment if you are trained and competent to do so and the equipment is in good working order.

Working at Heights

Always protect yourself against a fall when working at heights or over hazardous areas. Use proper fall protection systems.

Safety Responsibility

Always maintain and exhibit your commitment to Michels Mi-Promise and plan safety into each and every task being performed by completing a pre-task assessment to identify and communicate hazards to others.

Rotating Equipment

Always guard or prevent exposure to rotating equipment.

Fit for Duty

Always report to work healthy, mentally and physically fit for work. Assure you're able to safely perform work activities as assigned.

Safety Observation

Our Safety Observation program is a behaviour-based process whereby work is observed, and feedback is provided to positively influence safe behaviours. Increased engagement with our people and subcontractors provides a meaningful opportunity to reinforce positive behaviours like eyes on task, body position out of the line of fire and balance, and traction or grip.

This data is utilized for future observations, focused inspections, toolbox meetings and safety meetings to correct the behaviours and increase compliance within the overall safety program leading to a reduction in incidents on the project.

Legacy of Safety

Dale Michels stands with Michels trucks in the background in an archival photo

A Lasting Impression

Michels’ fate was in peril in our earliest days. Our founder, Dale Michels, was critically injured when a crude side boom fell onto him, crushing his hip. His recovery took more than a year. Day-to-day operations were left in the hands of Dale’s first employee and the crew members who believed in Dale and his goals.

Dale Michels stands next to a car in an archival photo

Commitment to Safety

Dale eventually made a full recovery. The accident left a lasting mark on his family and the fledgling company. To this day, the Michels family remains passionate about safety so other families can avoid a similar experience. That commitment is the framework for Michels’ safety culture and our promise to providing crews with sophisticated, well-maintained equipment.

MI-Promises

Our award-winning MI-Promises campaign was born from a straightforward idea of asking all of our people to make a promise to their loved ones to not perform or stop any work that is or appears to be unsafe and to keep themselves and others out of harm’s way.

MI-Promises
Promise Me
Our Core Values
Core Values in Action

Female stand in fron of crane and other equipment with PPE on

Man standing for a picture in front of an excavator.

Aggregates being poured by a Michels dump truck.

A collection of people who have been recognized for their ability to demonstrate Michels Core Values.

Safety in Action

See All Accomplishments

Safety Michels Canada safety program stays country’s best

Safety Michels Canada wins PLCAC safety award

Safety Michels Canada named Gold Winner for Best Health & Safety Culture

Safety Michels Canada achieves safety milestone

Contact Us

Thank you for taking time to learn more about who we are and what we do. If you need additional information or are in need of a solution not addressed on these pages, please submit a message with your contact information.