01-14-25 Truth & Consequences

At Hudson Bay Insulation, safety is at the heart of everything we do. Today, we want to have an open conversation about why following safety policies matters and what happens when those policies aren’t followed. Our goal is to make sure everyone feels responsible for keeping our work environment safe.

The Truth

We expect all employees to be familiar with our safety practices, policies, and procedures. Whether you’re working in the field or managing an office or warehouse, safety needs to be part of your daily routine. Everyone is responsible for stepping in right away if you notice unsafe conditions or behaviors.

In 2024, HBI recorded 11 safety violations. These weren’t accidents but deliberate choices that placed lives at risk and could have resulted in serious injuries.

As we look ahead to 2025, our goal is clear: reduce this number to zero. Achieving this requires a shift in mindset and a renewed commitment to our safety culture. Let’s lead by example and show new employees joining Hudson Bay that our dedication to safety is unwavering. Together, we can strengthen our team, support one another, and create a safer future—one where every employee returns home as they arrived, or perhaps even better.

Critical Safety Violations

Certain unsafe actions can create conditions that are immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH). Because of the serious nature of these situations, we have strict policies in place. Examples of IDLH violations include:

• Ignoring fall protection requirements.
• Using ladders or mobile equipment (MEWPs) improperly.
• Removing safety features from tools or equipment.
• Failure to follow lock-out/tag-out procedures.
• Failing to follow confined space entry procedures.

The Consequences when IDLH Policies are Violated.

• 1^st Violation – 5-day suspension.
• 2^nd Violation of the same item within 3 years - Termination.

In extreme cases, depending on the severity of the violation, Hudson Bay Insulation reserves the right to move directly to termination.

Documentation and Support

If a violation occurs, we make sure the employee fully understands what happened. A supervisor or safety representative will go over the incident with the employee and a witness present. The violation will be documented and added to the employee’s file, and the safety team will receive a copy. Our goal is to support employees by offering retraining or assistance to prevent future incidents.

Remember This!

This policy isn’t about punishment—it’s about protecting everyone. We want to move away from the mindset of “just get it done” and focus on doing the job the safe way—because the safe way is always the right way. We all have a role to play in keeping our workplace safe. Let’s work together to make sure safety stays at the top of everything we do every day.