Daily Informative Updates on
New Residential Real Estate & Construction News
for Vancouver Island Communities

With locations in Courtenay and Comox, WesternOne​ is your one-stop shop on Vancouver Island for tool and equipment rentals and sales. WesternOne's Comox location is also North Vancouver Island's only authorized Polaris ATV and Ranger/RZR Utility Vehicles dealer, and Vancouver Island's exclusive dealer for Polaris snowmobiles. Factory-trained and factory-certified Silver/Gold technicians are on hand for any servicing or repair need, and financing is available. For more information, call 250.339.4518 (local) or 1.877.339.4518 (toll-free). You can also use their Request a Quote online form.

In addition to equipment rentals and sales, WesternOne now offers IVES Operator Certification Training. While a license is not required to operate forklifts and other lifts, employers must ensure that employees have been trained to current standards and have the documentation on hand to prove it. WesternOne will teach you everything you need to know about safely operating counterbalance forklifts, rough-terrain forklifts, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts. 

IVES Operator Certification Training includes theory, practical training, and evaluation. When an employee successfully completes the training, he or she receives a certificate and wallet card. The employer, in turn, receives copies of all documentation, including theory and practical test records. IVES certification courses meet or exceed all applicable safety requirements, industry standards, and government regulations. Training is available in a classroom setting or on-site.

To learn more, call Greg Phelps, IVES Certified Trainer, at 250.667.0665 or WesternOne in Courtenay at 250.331.0748. Safety is their goal — make it your goal, too!

Choosing the Right Tool for the Right Job Saves Time and Money

Playing it safe on the job site includes choosing the right tool or equipment for the task at hand. Making the wrong choice can cause serious injury and property damage; a search for "fails" on the Internet yields a plethora of videos showcasing people using tools and equipment that are clearly unsuitable for the job. Some online favourites feature a large forklift being used to lift a smaller one, that in turn is used to lift and place another piece of equipment. Yet another depicts a car being held in the air by two forklifts, one on either side, with a worker standing underneath!

While these videos may elicit a chuckle, it's sobering to see people putting their safety at risk. In some cases, cost and availability are the mitigating factors behind the wrong equipment choice. But when you consider the possibility of suffering injury or disability is using the wrong tool worth the risk? Taking time to obtain the right tools and equipment, and training people to use them properly, will save time, money, and — most importantly — lives. If you don't have the resources needed for the job, borrow from a friend, hire a professional, or rent. When you become an Internet sensation, make sure it's for the right reasons!

Equipment Rentals and Sales From Western One

WesternOne is focused on customer satisfaction and the top-quality operating condition of its equipment. All equipment is kept in peak operating condition by WesternOne's certified, factory-trained union mechanics and technicians. You can rent or buy with confidence, knowing that the equipment will be delivered to your site, ready and able to work. WesternOne is an authorized factory dealer, sales representative, and broker for a variety of industry-recognized manufacturers and brands. Buy the equipment you need and feel secure in the knowledge that you're receiving the best competitive pricing in Western Canada. Factory warranties are also available on select equipment.

Polaris ATV and Ranger/RZR Utility Vehicles Dealer

As North Vancouver Island's only authorized Polaris ATV and Ranger/RZR Utility Vehicles dealer. WesternOne is also the exclusive dealer for Polaris snowmobiles on Vancouver Island. Factory-trained and factory-certified Silver/Gold technicians are on hand for any servicing or repair need, and financing is available. For more information, call 250.339.4518 (local) or;1.877.339.4518 (toll-free).

IVES Certification Training

WesternOne also offers IVES Operator Certification Training that includes theory, practical training, and evaluation. The training is a win-win for both employer and employee. When an employee successfully completes the training, he or she receives a certificate and wallet card. The employer, in turn, receives copies of all documentation, including theory and practical test records. To find out more, call Greg Phelps, IVES Certified Trainer, at 250.667.0665 or WesternOne in Courtenay at 250.331.0748.

Are you confused by BC's regulations for forklift training and certification? You're not alone.

In simple terms, WorkSafe BC regulations state that employers must provide forklift training for employees. The actual guidelines are more complicated, however, so we've summarized them for you here. (If you prefer to read the regulatory information in its entirety, refer to OHS Section 16, Mobile Equipment and CSA Standard B335-94, Industrial Lift Truck Operator Training or click here.)

Section 16.4: Competency of Operators

1. A person must not operate mobile equipment unless the person:
(a) has received adequate instruction in the safe use of the equipment.

Section 16.7: Standards

(j) Lift Truck Operator training: CSA Standard B335-94, Industrial Lift Truck Operator Training

CSA Standard 7.1.1: Frequency of Courses

Refresher courses shall be held:
(a) at intervals not exceeding two years; or
(b) in case of accident or incidents attributable to operator error.

In a nutshell, a license is not required. However, you must ensure that your employees have been trained to current standards and have the documentation on hand to prove it.

To make your life easier, WesternOne now offers IVES Operator Certification Training that includes theory, practical training, and evaluation. The training is a win-win for both employer and employee. When an employee successfully completes the training, he or she receives a certificate and wallet card. The employer, in turn, receives copies of all documentation, including theory and practical test records. To find out more, call Greg Phelps, IVES Certified Trainer, at 250.667.0665 or WesternOne in Courtenay at 250.331.0748.

WesternOne​, your one-stop shop on Vancouver Island for tool and equipment rentals and sales, is North Vancouver Island's only authorized Polaris ATV and Ranger/RZR Utility Vehicles dealer. WesternOne is also Vancouver Island's exclusive dealer for Polaris snowmobiles. Factory-trained and factory-certified Silver/Gold technicians are on hand for any servicing or repair need, and financing is available. For more information, call 250.339.4518 (local) or 1.877.339.4518 (toll-free). You can also use their Request a Quote online form.

WesternOne​, your one-stop shop on Vancouver Island for tool and equipment rentals and sales, is North Vancouver Island's only authorized Polaris ATV and Ranger/RZR Utility Vehicles dealer. WesternOne is also Vancouver Island's exclusive dealer for Polaris snowmobiles. Factory-trained and factory-certified Silver/Gold technicians are on hand for any servicing or repair need, and financing is available. For more information, call 250.339.4518 (local) or 1.877.339.4518 (toll-free). You can also use their Request a Quote online form.

In addition to equipment rentals and sales, WesternOne now offers IVES Operator Certification Training. WesternOne will teach you everything you need to know about safely operating counterbalance forklifts, rough-terrain forklifts, scissor lifts, and aerial lifts. IVES certification courses meet or exceed all applicable safety requirements, industry standards, and government regulations. Training is available in a classroom setting or on-site. To find out more, call Greg Phelps, IVES Certified Trainer, at 250.667.0665 or WesternOne in Courtenay at 250.331.0748. Safety is their goal — make it your goal, too!