Canadian Hydrovac is Committed to Safety & Community

View This Article in BOSS Magazine

This hydrovac leader in Alberta is providing environmentally-friendly mining efforts and community services for the region.

The mining industry has made significant, positive strides towards practices that are environmentally friendly in the last of couple decades. From conservation efforts and commitments to zero harm on-site to a slew of technology and innovation, a majority of the industry proves it understands—and respects—its impact on the earth.

Many mining companies and the businesses that support the industry take it a step further. Engagement in businesses’ respective communities has proven to be a great way for these companies  to not only teach people about their role in mining but to reach out and help improve the areas in which they work.

Canadian Hydrovac—dedicated to providing the best hydrovac and directional drilling services in oil, gas, construction, and the utility industry—has seen great success in its marketplace, and is determined to give back.

That’s because success for Canadian Hydrovac is not just about customers and the bottom line; the company is incredibly dedicated to its community. Perhaps the biggest indicator of its strong, family-centered culture is its sponsorship efforts and the support of local healthcare facilities like the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

And the company has taken a unique and lighthearted approach to breast cancer awareness.

“Our new pink truck demonstrates how we have integrated our commitment with national partners to publicly tackle leading health issues like breast cancer into daily operations,”  Dan Shemanchuk, Co-founder and Owner of Canadian Hydrovac, said.  “While the new truck and crew are hard at work, we are also raising funds for breast cancer at the same time.

“We thought it was an effective way to raise awareness about breast cancer because our hydrovac trucks are seen all over the province and because cancer has affected families in our company and my family. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, thanks to early detection and treatment at the Alberta Cross Cancer Institute. It is something that is close to my heart.”

With the generous support of its clients, Canadian Hydrovac is able to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. The company donates a percent of its revenue and clients have the option to add a donation to the job’s invoice towards the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation whenever a hydrovac is used.

From Pink to Green
The company’s hydrovac system is a key piece of technology that promotes sustainability and has vastly augmented the industry’s efforts towards green mining. It uses pressurized water to break up soil and a high-powered vacuum to remove the material to expose areas for repair or inspection.

Canadian Hydrovac’s best practice method for uncovering utilities has replaced the traditional larger and less accurate excavation methods. Additional equipment is not needed, and hydrovac units can often access areas not previously accessible by other equipment.

With a fleet of 45 well-maintained hydrovac, vac, and water trucks, Canadian Hydrovac provides this non-destructive method of excavation to several regions throughout the country. Horizontal directional drilling, fluid/mud management, tank rentals, a brand new office/ shop, and a slew of other services have helped Canadian Hydrovac grow at an impressive place.

A Culture of Safety and Growth

This rapid growth is driven by the company’s employees, their work ethic, and a dedication to a family-oriented culture. With the organization’s commitment to safety and this unique culture, Canadian Hydrovac is looking to expand its services further.

“Central to our business is our commitment to a safe work environment for our employees, as well as collaborating with other workforces and the public,” said Shemanchuk. “We’re supportive of continuing education and constantly looking at how to continually evolve and improve with the industry.”

The company ensures this through ongoing in-house and third-party training, safety meetings, and two-way communication with workers. Its full-time Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Manager is often in the field conducting worker and equipment follow-ups. The employee Joint Health and Safety Committee is an outlet for the workers to become directly involved in the company’s HSE program.

From senior management to its newest employees, safety is not only a culture adopted by all; it is an action. Canadian Hydrovac is externally and internally audited every year to ensure our safety practices are the highest.

The company is also an active participant and member of the Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) ISNetworks, Canqual, Certificate of Recognition (COR), and many other organizations and associations dedicated to safety and fair treatment of employees.

While safety is paramount to the company’s growth—and indeed its company culture—there are several other strategies at play. Canadian Hydrovac’s commitment to researching and developing emerging technology, like horizontal directional drilling, and employing a skilled, dedicated workforce also plays into its capabilities in the marketplace.

“We have a strong team of skilled employees who have a passion to provide high-quality customer value to meet the demands of our customers,” shared Shemanchuk. “Our employees are committed to ongoing learning to develop expertise with new equipment and technology in preparation for advancements and new directions in the business.”

The business of some of the company’s current clients is national in scope, allowing its pink truck to be seen all over Canada. But this also points to the need of the company to expand beyond its current locations in Alberta.

“Expanding to other provinces enables us to offer our clients the same high-quality services in other provinces that meet their demands for hydrovac and directional services. It will allow us to also offer permanent employment to more of our employees, and retain the skilled workers that make this company so great.”