Small Business Safety: "I Only Have 5 Guys, Do I Really Need This?"

I hear it all the time from small business owners in Alberta: "Sherry, we're just a small shop. We don't need a fancy safety manual. We know what we're doing."

Here is the hard truth: Competence isn't documentation. You might know what you're doing, but if you can't prove it on paper, you are legally vulnerable. If one of your guys gets hurt and OHS asks for your training records or hazard assessments, "we know what we're doing" isn't going to save you from a fine—or a lawsuit.

The "20 Employee" Myth

There is a rule in Alberta that says if you have 20 or more employees, you need a formal Health and Safety Program. People read that and think, "Great, I have 12 guys, I'm off the hook!"

You are not off the hook. You still have a legal obligation under the OHS Act to ensure the safety of your workers. That means you still need:

• Hazard assessments (FLHAs)
• Safe work procedures for dangerous tasks
• Emergency response plans
• Proof of competency (training records)

You might not need a 300-page manual, but you need a system.

Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

For a small business, your safety program shouldn't be complicated. It should fit on a clipboard, not take up a whole bookshelf.

What you actually need:

• Morning Tailgate: 5 minutes. "What are we doing today? What can kill us? How do we stop that?" Write it down. Sign it. Done.
• Inspection Checklist: Once a week, walk your shop or site. Check the fire extinguishers, the cords, the ladders. tick the boxes. Sign it.
• Training Log: Excel spreadsheet. Who has First Aid? Who has Fall Arrest? When does it expire?

Don't Wait for an Incident

Safety is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy. Dealing with OHS investigations, WCB rate hikes, and finding replacement workers costs way more than paying me to set up a simple program for you.

I specialize in Right-Fit Safety Programs. I don't sell you the "Big Oil" package if you're a framing crew. I give you exactly what you need to be compliant and safe, without drowning you in paperwork.