If finding a need and filling it is the first step to success in business, then Doug Friesen is well on his way.
The veteran of nearly 20 years in the health and safety field has opened a branch operation of Majors McGuire in Wallaceburg at the former GSL location on Arnold Street.
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“I’ve known Ron McGuire for a number of years and he has an extremely successful business in Windsor,” Friesen said. “We looked at the Chatham-Kent market and saw there was a need for what we do so here we are.”
The firm’s “Out of Harm’s Way” slogan describes its goal.
“Our purpose is to provide specialized advice and training in whatever our client needs to keep their workers safe,” he said.
As an authorized Ontario Ministry of Labour training provider, the firm is compliant with provincial regulation.
“Any work place, worker or employer needs to comply with regulations,” Friesen said. “It’s the law and it’s the smart thing to do.”
The Wallaceburg office has a team of 18 health and safety professionals with experience in almost every sector from construction to health care.
“Many of our instructors are retired or semi retired and we use their tremendous experience to help clients,” he said. “Our people have been there and done that so they have instant credibility.”
Majors McGuire staff assess clients’ needs, offer training on site or at their facility and follow through to ensure standards are being met.
They also offer individual health and safety consultants to firms who need someone for a short period of time for a particular project.
“We appeal to firms who don’t have the resources to have a full time health and safety representative but who want to make sure they’re on top of things,” he said. “We’re small enough to understand their needs and respond quickly.”
