Proactive Consulting provides real-world safety training
Mine safety has progressed tremendously since the 19th century and the use of canaries in coal mines to detect carbon monoxide and other gases before the miners passed out.
In Saskatchewan, Proactive Consulting provides professional safety and equipment training and certification to the potash industry. Other sectors that the company serves include oil and gas, construction and manufacturing. With training facilities in Regina and Saskatoon, experienced instructors focus on leadership skills and realworld safety initiatives when they teach.
Chris Budzich is president of Proactive Consulting and has 18 years experience in the health and safety management field. He founded the business with three partners more than a decade ago but is now the sole owner. Budzich is also a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP).
Budzich describes Proactive Consulting’s clients as major companies in the province’s potash industry, as well as contractors and suppliers to those major companies.
“For companies that need to train anywhere from two to 20 people, our services are ideal. We have the instructors and all the equipment already in place at our schools in Regina and Saskatoon. This way we can easily serve our clients in mining, oil and gas, construction and manufacturing,” says Budzich.
Originally from Alberta, Budzich began his career in the industrial cleaning business and travelled throughout North America. His family now includes three daughters, one granddaughter and “lots of estrogen.” His wife Amy is Proactive Consulting’s office manager in Regina.
Participating on provincial and national committees also bolsters Budzich’s health and safety credentials. He participated in the Joint Industry Committee responsible for the development of standards for Saskatchewan’s Safety Management, Auditing and Certification programs. He is also one of the province’s representatives at the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Powered mobile equipment operation courses are the company ’s bread and butter. Popular courses that Proactive Consulting offers include aerial lift, confined space entry, fall protection, forklift, global ground disturbance, overhead crane competent worker, rigging, skid steer and telehandler.
The company employs six fulltime and two part-time instructors. These instructors have hands-on industry experience, ranging from past roles in underground mine practical training, heavy equipment operation, and powered mobile equipment training.
“In many instances it may be practical and cost-effective for companies to hire a third party, or to even work with that third party offsite, to train employees. Proactive Consulting is one of the companies in our province that offers these services,” says Eric Anderson, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Industrial and Mining Suppliers Association (SIMSA).
Another safety-related service that Proactive Consulting offers is a complete (or partial) facility inspection. Their team does an observational tour of the facility to gauge compliance with that company’s health and safety standards, as well as compliance with any applicable government legislation.
“Safety is the lead-off topic at every meeting and conference in the resource sector and that reflects its level of importance in Canada,” says Anderson. SIMSA represents companies who provide goods and services to Saskatchewan’s mining, energy and industrial sectors. SIMSA’S membership consists of more than 170 companies with $10 billion in annual revenues and 20,000 employees.
“By helping companies develop and implement safety management systems, and training their employees, we help Saskatchewan’s potash industry to practice bestin-class health and safety,” says Budzich.
Find out more about courses offered at proactiveconsulting.ca.