BILD (Formerly the Home Builders Association) and the Calgary Regional Safety Committee hosted a free BBQ to include tradesmen, labourers and anyone working in residential construction in a conversation about staying safe on the work site.

Georgina Nicholls, Safety Advisor for Stepper Homes and Event Organizer says their goal is to get rid of the safety 'stigma' that still may exist in the construction industry.

"The primary reason for our BBQ is to share safety knowledge and understanding with residential trades.  We aim to create a culture of safety, understanding and empowerment for the guys and girls that work in the field."

Nicholls shares there was many interested in participating from local safety companies to government agencies.

"We have Occupational Health and Safety Officers here, we have people from Workers Compensation Board and also reps from different trades like Atco Gas, Call before you dig and a bunch of other risk management stuff. "

While the free safety BBQ's aren't a new thing to Calgary, Nicholls says it's important they made a trip to Okotoks, since the construction industry here has been on a steady climb.

"This is coordinated through BILD Calgary Region Safety Committee. It all started around 9.5 years ago, but this is our first time in Okotoks. We wanted to just create an environment for trades to come in and ask questions, be open and honest about how they feel without being worried about losing their job."

Even Okotoks Fire Services and Peace Officers were on scene to answer safety questions and entertain the crowd with a quick demonstration of a vehicle extraction.

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