The University of Saskatchewan is currently making major upgrades to some of its key campus buildings, including the Murray Library. One of the most noticeable changes to the building's exterior is the replacement of two concrete panels with windows. The new windows are energy-efficient and will provide much-needed natural light to the 60-year-old building.

The installation of the "waterfall" windows that span from the 3rd to the 6th floor on the north and south sides of the building is being assisted by the Northern Strands Suspended Access Division who have extensive experience in working at heights. The crew has been supplied with equipment designed to provide safe and efficient access to the exterior of the building. This equipment enables the workers to scale the face of the building, ensuring that the installation process is carried out smoothly.

More information on the University renovation can be found here:

https://news.usask.ca/articles/general/2023/major-changes-in-familiar-places.php

When was the last time you checked to see when your employees (or your own), safety training certifications expired? Likely not since before Covid lockdowns almost 2 years ago...Fall protection training is one certification in particular you do not want to let lapse. Did you know that slips, trips and falls are typically the number one cause of lost time injuries? For this reason, companies whose employees perform work at heights often put fall protection training at the top of their priority list. Fall arrest training is essential and required in Saskatchewan for any employee working at heights (above 3 meters). Companies can incur hefty OH&S fines in Saskatchewan for employees that don't have up to date fall arrest training certification. 

Our Trainers are often asked, "How long does my fall arrest certification last in Saskatchewan?" This is a good question with a somewhat ambiguous answer. The answer is, "Depends on who you were trained by?". In Saskatchewan, there is no legislation that dictates the length of time a fall arrest certification is valid for. The company providing the training determines the length of time your fall arrest training certificate is valid. At Northern Strands, our training certification for our fall arrest course is valid for three years. 

Why train with Northern Strands and not the, "other guys" you usually book with?

• We will train groups on site at your workplace. No need to send your people here, we will come to you!
• Our training is hands on, practical and most importantly...in person. Do you want your employees performing potentially dangerous work with training that is online- only and with no practical component?
• We book on short notice and are flexible with scheduling. Need training for your people ASAP? Contact us and we will try our best to make it work.
• Our trainers make it fun! Do your employees resist training because they can't stay awake?! Our trainers have designed courses in a format that makes them engaging, interesting, and collaborative. 

Northern Strands Safety Training Courses Include:

• Fall Arrest Training
• Below the Hook Rigging Training 
• Crosby Rigging Training
• Air Winch Training
• Suspended Access Training
• Overhead Traveling Crane Competent Operator (40 hour)

Spring is FINALLY here, and we are excited to take part in community events again. The Northern Strands Group of Companies, consisting of Fortis Mining Engineering and Manufacturing, Certified Mining and Construction and Northern Strands have been sponsoring Wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation for several years. Every year we fundraise with the goal of making one Saskatchewan’s Child’s Wish come true!

We recently had the opportunity to join the Make-A-Wish “Fairies” as they announced a child was going to receive their wish. This year we were matched with a little girl named Lennon. Her wish was to have a chicken coop playground, so she had an amazing place to play with her pet chicken. Her new chicken playground will have a cute new house for her chickens and a teeter totter for them to play on. Lennon is an amazing young girl who is sweet, compassionate, and just a joy to spend time with. We were thrilled to be there when she was told her wish was coming true. The look of joy and excitement on her face warmed our hearts. We are all looking forward to Lennon’s chicken coop wish being granted. No more than Lennon herself!

Make-A-Wish Canada is a fantastic organization dedicated to granting the wishes of critically ill children. Research has shown that children who have had their wishes granted can help build physical and emotional strength needed to fight critical illness. Since 1983, Make-A-Wish Canada has granted over 36,000 wishes across the country!

We are thrilled to announce the release of our 2022/23 Northern Strands Products & Services Catalogue. Our new catalogue has been completely revamped and expanded. In addition to Rigging and Equipment, our 2022 catalogue now contains information on our Engineered Fall Protection, Suspended Access, Safety Training and AG Terminal Maintenance, Products and Services Divisions. The catalogue will be available to customers as a traditional printed catalogue or as a digital/PDF. 

Our Northern Strands 2022/23 Catalogue includes the following product and service categories:

• Industrial Equipment and Supplies - Service & Capabilities
• Equipment Testing
• Rigging
• Load Securement
• Synthetic Ropes
• Material Handling
• Wire Rope
• Wire Rope Accessories
• Lubrication and Lubrication Systems
• Lifting Chain and Accessories
• Fall protection Equipment
• Suspended Access(Swing Stage) Systems and Equipment
• Safety Training
• Engineered Fall Protection Systems
• AG Terminal Maintenance, Products and Services

We have added unique enhancements to the Digital/PDF version of the Northern Strands Catalogue:

• All table of contents categories are "clickable" and will take you directly to that page
• The Sling Chart(pg.8), contains a, "click here" link and/or a QR code that will take you directly to our free Sling Length Calculator https://www.northernstrands.com/sling-length-calculator.aspx
• Products available for online purchase have a "Shop Online!" link in the top left corner of the page that will take you directly to our ecommerce store https://shop.northernstrands.com/ where you can order products for delivery or pick up

Download or view a copy of the Northern Strands Catalogue here  https://www.northernstrands.com/pdf/warehouse.pdf

Please contact Northern Strands if you would like a printed copy of our catalogue at 1-800-242-7073 or email sales@northernstrands.com

Annual Towing Sale On Now! 

With the snow still flying it's hard to believe that spring is on the way but it is just around the corner! You know what that means, time for the annual towing sale! We are also so happy that we finalized the distributor agreement with B/A Products we went a little crazy and decided to put a huge selection of our towing products on sale! Including 10% Off all B/A Towing Products! Stop in today and stock up for all your towing needs!