Jonas Hoke put together this "Job Site Safety Bin" for home construction workers

Whistler’s Jonas Hoke says his innovation is “pretty straight-forward” – a $10 plastic bin that contains a job site safety binder, WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) binder, safe work practices and procedures binder, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, eye wash station, and blanket.

The carpentry apprentice’s job site safety bin drew the attention of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association of B.C. and they awarded him a Workplace Health & Safety Innovation Award. Jonas was recognized for helping home builders ensure they have the right safety gear on site at small jobs.

I read about this award in The Link Newsletter from the Construction Safety Network, and I phoned Jonas to learn more.

Jonas, who works for RDC Fine Homes in Whistler, says he didn’t expect to win an award because the idea is so simple.

“I was thinking through what needed to be on site and I talked to one of the site supers about it,” Jonas said. “For the bigger sites, they would have had the contents of that bin… Traditionally for a smaller site, where one guy was going to work for a few weeks, he wouldn’t have had that equipment – but now it works out well.”

What makes Jonas a good health and safety manager?

RDC owner Bob Deeks said he hired Jonas as a carpentry apprentice. He also offered him the position of health and safety manager because he was an experienced ski patroller at Whistler.

Jonas audits job sites, gives toolbox meetings, coordinates first aid, addresses WorkSafeBC issues, and deals with paperwork if there’s an injury on site. He helps to coordinate RDC’s back-to-work program and finds modified duties for workers healing from injuries.

“If somebody has to go to the hospital, Jonas is the guy who goes with them to the hospital to make sure they’re okay. He’s the guy who goes and takes all the notes and fills out all the forms,” Bob said. “He plays a critical role in our safety protocols.”

Getting COR-certified by the Construction Safety Network

RDC is getting a 15 percent discount on their WorkSafeBC premium because Jonas completed the COR courses, RDC passed the COR audit, and there is a back-to-work program for injured workers.