Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 95 and The Master ... · PDF fileHeat and Frost...

Note: Industry Data provided in this submission is based on information gathered by the Local 95 and the Master Insulators’ Association of Ontario as joint trustees of the only Training Delivery Agent in Ontario

Heat and Frost Insulators

Local Union 95 and The Master Insulators’ Association of Ontario

Submission to Ontario College of Trades Re: Ratio Reviews

Background

The Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 95 represents over 1,800 members. Our Training Centre

located at Located at 120 Amber Street in Markham is jointly trusteed by Local 95 and the Master

Insulators’ Association of Ontario. This is the only Training Delivery Agent (TDA) in the province

delivering apprenticeship programs to 500 apprentices with 3 annual intakes.

The Master Insulators’ Association of Ontario acts as the provincial body to promote and support the

advancement of the heat and frost insulation industry. As the accredited Employer Bargaining Agent in

the insulation construction industry, the Association is well-versed in the needs of both the employers

and the employees and has been regulating relations between these groups since 1942.

Heat and frost insulators play a fundamental role in our lives. They are essential to every large

institutional, commercial and industrial construction project in the country. Mechanical Insulation,

which is insulation applied to pipes, ducts, and mechanical equipment (such as boilers, storage tanks,

and air handling equipment), is a basic necessity for our schools, hospitals, businesses and condos.

Mechanical insulation serves a variety of objectives in buildings. Some of which include:

Energy conservation

Condensation control

Fire safety

Freeze protection

Personnel protection

Process control

Noise control

Ratio Review Submission: Heat and Frost Insulators Local Union 95 & The Master Insulators’ Association of Ontario

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The best building practices can support all these criteria with occasional tradeoffs. The practice of ‘green

building’ or ‘high performance building’ seeks to optimize a building’s performance across all these

criteria and significantly out-perform conventional practice. In short, the work of our apprentices and

mechanics in properly installing mechanical insulation is directly related to reducing energy

consumption, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, improving the durability of buildings and increasing

human safety in both the public and private realm. The 1:1, 3:1 ratio allows us to balance these factors

while ensuring a safe workplace and steady labour supply.

It is the position of both the Local Union 95 and the Master Insulators’ Association of Ontario that the

current 1:1, 3:1 journeyperson to apprentice ratio should be maintained for the heat and frost insulator

trade. This ratio has demonstrated the right balance in the workplace to ensure that building

performance remains a top priority without compromising training standards or the needs of mechanics,

employers, apprentices, or the public. Our high completion rates speak to the fact that apprentices learn

very well in our training environments. The current ratio is key to our successful completion, retention

and employment rates.

i. Scope of practice:

Heat and frost insulators fabricate, assemble and apply insulation materials to plumbing, heating,

cooling and refrigeration systems, as well as piping equipment and pressure vessels, to reduce the

passage of heat, cold, sound, smoke or fire. Their role is essential to Ontario’s economy and

environment.

Some of the main duties of a heat and frost insulator include:

applying and securing insulation

measuring and cutting insulating material using hand and power tools


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installing vapour, fire and smoke barriers

applying waterproofing cement over insulating materials to finish surfaces, and

reading and interpreting specifications to select the type of insulation required

A qualified Heat and Frost Insulator demonstrates knowledge of:

Safe work procedures

Industrial, commercial and specialty applications and procedures

Fire stopping and fireproofing

Asbestos abatement

ii. The apprenticeship program established by the College.

There is currently no curriculum for the trade of Heat and Frost Insulators set by the Ministry of

Training, Colleges and Universities. The Training Delivery Agency follows the Ministry’s Training

Standards and has participants on the curriculum steering committee of the International Association of

Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (IAHFIAW). The International Association’s curriculum

responds directly to the needs of industry and exceeds the expectations of MTCU’s training standards.

The Heat and Frost Insulator Apprenticeship Program for three levels: Basic, Intermediate and

Advanced, each consisting of approximately 210 hours of instructional and/or applied shop time.

Basic Level Training

Mathematics

adding, subtracting, multiplying and

dividing of whole numbers

Explanation of what fractions are and

fundamental steps in their use


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Addition, subtraction, division and

multiplication of fractions

Decimal Fractions explanation and

fundamental steps in use

Addition, Subtraction, multiplication

and division of decimals

Changing common fractions to

percentage

Changing percent to common fraction

Changing percent to decimal

Changing decimal to percent

Total Instruction Time – 8 hours

Use and Care of Tools

Describe the use and selection of:

Layout Tools

Measurement and Alignment Tools

Hand Tools for Cutting Insulation

Power Tools for Cutting Insulation

Tools for applying finishing Insulation

Metal Working Hand Tools

Metal Cutting Equipment

Metal Joining Tools and Equipment

Metal Shaping Tools and Equipment

Discuss the care of all tools and

equipment


Shop Fabrication Geometry (classroom portion)

Constructions Lines and Angles

Bisections of Lines and Angles

Transfer of angles

Construction of perpendiculars, parallel

lines, bisecting of lines

Triangle construction and definitions,

bisectors of angles and perpendicular

bisectors of sides

Circle construction and definitions of

components


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Dividing circumference into equal parts Bisecting circles, quarter circles and

semi circles into various parts


Fundamentals of Insulation Theory and Practices

General Insulation Principles & Methods

Items to be insulated

Insulation material configurations and

compositions

Coverings, finishes and sealants

Application Materials

Insulate Straight Piping

Insulating Irregular surfaces

Seal and Finish Insulated Pipe

Total Instructional Time – 36 hours

Blueprints Codes and Specifications

Introduction to reading a set of plans

Organization of a set of drawings

Specifications

Scaling

Isometric Drawings


Shop Fabrication (hands on shop time)

Layout and fabricate the following

items with the use of aluminum

Various types of Seams

Various types of Drive cleats

Various styles of end caps

Varieties of Flange Covers

Total Time – 60 hours


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Insulate piping modules with various types of insulations

Apply various finishes to insulated copper and iron piping modules


Fire Stop Training and Certification provided 3M Fire Stop Division


Asbestos Abatement Training

Asbestos Hazards and Regulations

Non-Asbestos Hazards

Type 3 procedures

Worker Protection

Equipment Procedures

Hands-on practical on procedures for

entry/exit


Intermediate Level Training

Mathematics

Formula for perimeter and area of a

square


Rectangle

Formula for area of a Parallelogram


Triangle


Trapezoid

Formula for perimeter and area of

semi-circular sided figures

Formula for area of a sphere

Formula for area of spherical ended

solid


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Circles, area and circumference


Geometric Construction of Layout Patterns

Layout Pattern for Unequal Tee

Layout Pattern for Equal Lateral

Layout Pattern for Unequal Lateral

Layout Patterns for Long Radius Elbows

Layout Patterns for Short Radius Elbows

Layout Patterns for Long Radius Ducting

Elbows

Layout Patterns for Short Radius

Ducting Elbows



General Insulation Principles and

Methods

Items to be insulated, Insulation

Materials & Applications

Cryogenic Insulation Practices and

Finishes

Refractory Insulation Practices and

Finishes

Underground Insulation Practices and

Finishes



Isometric Drawings continued

Isometric to Orthographic Drawings

Architectural Drawings



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Layout and fabricate the following

items with the use of aluminum

Varieties of Flange Covers

Varieties of Ducting Elbows



Insulate piping modules with various types of insulations

Apply various finishes to insulated copper and iron piping modules


Intermediate Health and Safety Training

Confined Space Awareness

Propane in Construction

Lockout and Tag Awareness

Trenching

Powered Elevated Work Platforms

Total Time - 16 hours

Advanced Level Training

Mathematics

Formula for lag width

Formula for number of lags

Formula for closing lags

Formula for single bevel of lags

Formula for double bevel of lags

Formula for closing lag bevel single and

double



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Geometric Construction of Layout Patterns

Layout Pattern for Eccentric Reducer

Layout Pattern for Concentric Reducer

Layout Pattern for Inline Pyramid

Layout Patterns for Frustum Cone and

Pyramid

Layout Patterns for Square to Round

Reducer including Offset

Layout Patterns for Rectangle to Round

Reducer including Offset

Layout Patterns for Round to Square

and Rectangle Reducers

Layout Patterns for Rectangle to

Rectangle Reducers



Insulating Practices and Procedures for Vertical and Horizontal Cylinders with Rigid and Flexible

Insulation

Finishes and applications of Finishes for Vertical and Horizontal Cylinders

Insulating Air-Handling Systems with rigid and flexible Insulation

Insulating and Sealing Duct Fittings, Breechings, Flues and Precipitators



Plumbing Drawings

Understanding Mechanical Systems

Reading Ductwork

Reading Piping

Practical Project with Piping

Practical Project with Ducting



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Create and Complete Insulation Systems for the Large Ducting Modules

Create and Complete Insulation Systems for the Steel Kettle

Create and Complete Insulation Systems for the Large Tank Head


Basics of Supervision from the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association of Ontario


St.John’s First Aid and CPR Training


iii. How the journeyperson to apprentice ratio for the trade may affect the health and safety of

apprentices and journeypersons working in the trade and the public who may be affected by

the work.

The current 1:1, 3:1 ratio is directly related to the health and safety of our apprentices and

journeypersons as well as the general public. The work can be physically demanding and it is essential

for apprentices to learn and observe before they are expected to take on additional responsibilities that

impact on the health and safety of everyone on the worksite. Heat and frost insulators regularly work

with machinery and power tools, sometimes on ladders or scaffolding, and in confined areas.

Apprentices undergo significant training for fall arrest as approximately 80% of insulation work is done

from a ladder. Insulation size varies greatly from project to project and the trade involves a significant

amount of overhead work. Our work also involves high temperatures of up to 400°F when it is necessary

upon to insulate pipes while they are in operation. The current ratio allows us to ensure that there is no


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compromise to journeypersons or apprentices as they carry out this work. As a result, the heat and frost

insulator trade has a very low rate of critical injuries and fatalities.

As with all construction jobs safety is a top priority. Heat and frost insulators are trained to work safely,

using equipment such as respirators, coveralls and safety goggles to protect themselves from dust,

fibreglass and other hazardous material including exposure to various amounts of Asbestos on job sites

for long periods of time. Work involving asbestos is a matter of particular concert for our apprentices,

mechanics and the public. Prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause serious illnesses such as:

Malignant Mesothelioma: A rare form of cancer that affects the thin membranes lining the

abdomen and chest.

Asbestos Lung Cancer: Cancer of the lung. The two most common types of lung cancer are

small–cell and non–small cell cancer.

Asbestosis: A non-malignant disease that causes scarring of the lung tissue.

Asbestos Pleural Disease: A non-malignant disease that causes scarring of the thin membranes

lining the lung and chest.

The existing 1:1, 3:1 ratio allows us to ensure that all apprentices and journeypersons are taking the

utmost care in both working and observing work using sensitive or toxic materials such as asbestos. A

lower ratio poses the serious risk of improper work being conducted by inexperienced apprentices or

overburdened mechanics and a higher ratio poses unnecessary restrictions to employers and

employees.

The ratio also has an effect on the health and safety of journeypersons and apprentices due to the

highly skilled application techniques required by many projects. An example of a highly skilled

application is the application of insulation material such as Cellular Glass to a cryogenic vessel. The

precision fabrication and application of the Cellular Glass to this vessel is imperative to this process.


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When a cryogenic system is not properly insulated it can create large ice masses and possibly lead to a

line rupture. A rupture of a cryogenic system can result in gases and liquids such as ammonia, liquid

nitrogen or glycol leaking through a populated workplace or even possible explosion resulting in major

catastrophe. Jointly, the Local 95 and the Master Insulators’ Association of Ontario have a staged

process for discipline to maintain high work standards for both apprentices and mechanics.

Additionally, the Local 95 has a code of ethics that directs the conducts of their members.

The current ratio also allows for protection of the general public. A major concern with improper

insulation is the creation of mould which can pose serious threats to public health.

Most common types of moulds are generally not harmful to healthy individuals. However, exposure to

mould can cause reactions depending on overall health, age and the amount of time one is exposed to

the environment. The elderly, pregnant women, infants and young children, people with allergies,

chronic respiratory illness and/or chemical sensitivities and those with weakened immune systems are

most likely to experience health effects from mould.

The most common health problems associated with exposure to mould are:

Eye, nose and throat irritation

Runny nose, sinus congestion, frequent cold symptoms

Increased asthma attacks

Allergic reactions

Properly trained mechanics and properly supervised apprentices are an important part of managing and

preventing the threat of mould to public health. Their high quality of work is supported by the current

journeyperson to apprentice ratio.


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iv. The effect, if any, of the journeyperson to apprentice ratio of the trade on the environment.

Inadequate and poorly installed insulation around heating and cooling systems is a significant cause of

both lost energy and money for buildings and facilities. Insulation work following third party energy

audits on existing buildings has demonstrated that proper insulation can save up to 20% in energy costs.

As heating and cooling energy pricing rates continue to increase, it is apparent how much this lost

energy affects a household or businesses’ budget. When insulation is improperly installed, energy seeps

out--costing billions of dollars. Using more energy to compensate means generating more carbon

dioxide, a leading cause of climate change. Proper insulation installation reduces energy consumption

thereby reducing environmentally damaging emissions – all of which are supported by the 1:1, 3:1 ratio

which ensures that apprentices and mechanics have the right amount of supervision, training and

expertise to carry out the work.

As we look towards the future with continual green initiatives and marketing towards the benefits of

Mechanical Insulation we are growing from being a supplemental trade to a being known as a group

that provides aesthetically pleasing results which increase function and production of systems and

processes while reducing all costs associated to operations. The complexity of green initiatives are also

important to the current ratio as they are continually added to our curriculum and involve new materials

and technologies to be demonstrated on the worksite.

Insulation around a building’s heating and cooling system is a vital resource that protects a facility from

energy loss and physical damage. It saves energy immediately and the return on investment is readily

apparent. The scale of energy and financial savings are much higher in facilities not open to the public

including power plants, oil refineries, manufacturing buildings, storage buildings, paper mills,

pharmaceuticals, chemical plants, food processing plants, waste water and water treatment plants,

petrochemical, auto manufacturing, and plastics manufacturing. In an industrial facility, insulation is

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrochemical

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_manufacturer


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required for systems that carry or store liquid, gas, air, or product in which the temperature of the

substance being transferred or stored is impacted by the temperature of the ambient air. These systems

must be insulated to maintain process temperatures for both cold and hot systems; to protect liquids

from freezing; to provide burn protection for personnel from possible exposure to hot systems; and for

sound attenuation. Mechanical insulation represents 1 to 2 percent of the total cost for a new

commercial facility – it is essential that our apprentices and mechanics have the high level of skills

necessary to complete this work properly and efficiently for businesses. The current ratio demonstrates

the appropriate balance to achieve these aims while reducing the overall environmental impact of the

facilities. The same principal applies to commercial facilities including office buildings, schools,

restaurants, hospitals, hotels, casinos, sports arenas, libraries, and dormitories. Systems that often

require insulation in commercial buildings include all HVAC systems; pipe, duct, and equipment; hot and

cold domestic plumbing pipe and equipment; roof drain pipe; emergency generator exhaust systems;

and kitchen hood exhaust ductwork.

The quality of work assured by the current ratio allows for facilities to:

reduce carbon footprint by metric tonnage

reduce heat loss and save energy

reduce operation costs

v. The economic impact of the journeyperson to apprentice ratio of the trade on apprentices,

journeypersons, employers and employer associations and, where applicable, on trade

unions, employee associations, apprentice training providers and the public.

The current ratio for journeyperson to apprentice of 1:1 and 3:1 ensures that apprentices are trained

appropriately and able to perform the highly technical tasks required of them. The current economic

impact of this ratio has achieved a balance between the groups listed above. Jointly the Union and

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Contractor Association monitor industry ratios with our market share and keep the relationship in

balance at a 3:1 ratio helping to steadily maintain the high employment rate our industry has seen since

the early 1990’s.

Our 3:1 ratio has allowed us to maintain a steady workforce with the skills needed to perform the

applications necessary to move our industry forward and grow with the ever changing construction and

industrial workplaces in Ontario.

The ratio also has an economic impact by ensuring high quality functioning systems are properly

installed to avoid costly system failures. For example, when applying Insulation material like cellular

glass to a cryogenic vessel, the precision fabrication and application of the cellular glass to this vessel is

imperative. When a cryogenic system is not properly insulated it can create large ice masses and

possibly lead to a line rupture. A rupture of a cryogenic system can result in gases and liquids such as

ammonia, liquid nitrogen or glycol leaking through a populated workplace or causing catastrophic

events such as explosions.

The same scenario can be used in a refractory setting as well, when the insulation system of an extreme

high temperature and the possibility of fire, explosion or damage to personnel and property can be the

result of a poorly insulated system. The same high level of skill, experience and precision is required to

apply the insulation system that includes the insulation material and exterior cladding.

The skills and experience needed for the application techniques for these systems are found in the

qualified mechanics in the Heat and Frost Insulator Trade. Apprentices learn very well in these

environments, however the reality is that the apprentice is in more of a ‘shadow’ role and has limited

hands-on experience due to the expensive material being used and the precision application methods

needed to avoid future problems with these systems. The current ratio supports this successful teaching

method and manages costs for all parties involved.


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The economic impacts of the ratio are directly related to the high quality of workmanship maintained by

the heat and frost insulator trade. This level of workmanship is fundamental to avoid the following

costly system failures:

Excessive heat transfer - Will result from not using enough or the wrong type of insulation. In the case of

heating systems, the energy will be lost to the surrounding environment. In the case of cooling systems

there may be heat gain which will reduce the overall efficiency of the system. In advanced building

systems where small changes in temperatures occur between the supply and return sections, excessive

heat transfer may undermine the effectiveness of the system. This could potentially occur in heat

recovery ventilators or with radiant heating and cooling systems.

Pipe or duct deterioration due to corrosion – This is common where the system is not protected from

condensation or the environment. This will shorten the service life of the equipment. As the cost of

insulation is generally considerably less than the cost of piping or ducting it is preferable to protect the

equipment wherever possible.

Condensation that will result in increased heat rates and damage the building – This contributes not only

to corrosion as mentioned previously but can also damage building elements such as concrete, ceiling

tiles, drywall and wooden elements. It will also increase heat transfer rates due to latent heat of

vaporization.

Risk of injury (eg. From burns or sharp corners) – This refers to the possibility of people being burned

with high temperature systems such as steam piping and the risk of injury resulting from coming in

contact with a pipe or duct that is not protected with appropriate insulation. Injuries may also be

sustained from contact with sharp corners, which can be mitigated with proper insulation.


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Inability of energy efficient systems to work as expected - This is of particular concern for high

performance/high efficiency systems, as they often operate with very small temperature differences

and are especially vulnerable to problems with excessive heat transfer. If the designers have assumed a

fluid or gas are being moved through a system adiabatically (i.e., no heat transfer) and there is

considerable unintended heat transfer taking place, system performance could be seriously affected.

The end result for deficient or non-existent insulation can be summarized by stating that systems and

equipment will have to work excessively to perform their functions thus costing more to run and

becoming more susceptible to mechanical wear and failure. When the system components run

excessively, corrosion and condensation are created causing significant damage to unrelated

components like drywall, flooring, ceiling tiles and concrete resulting in increased expenses for repair

beyond the mechanical system and its deficient or non-existent insulation.

Insulation and the application of insulation systems by properly trained skilled trade professionals result

in both efficient and effective systems for residential, commercial and industrial operations. With

effective insulation practices clients and consumers receive savings directly based on consumption.

Maintenance costs are also greatly reduced. The current 1:1, 3:1 ratio has been essential in maintaining

the quality of work while training apprentices to ensure cost effectiveness for all parties involved.

vi. The number of apprentices and journeypersons working in the trade.

Based on the data we have collected as the only TDA in Ontario there are currently 1192 mechanics and

361 apprentices in the heat and frost insulator trade.

vii. The rates of completion for apprentices in an apprentice training program for the trade.

The completion rate for an apprentice in the apprentice training program is extremely high at 99%. The

average rate of completion is 3 years.


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Completion rates for April 2 2011 - April 1 2012

100% Level 1 (85 apprentices)



Completion rates for April 2 2010 - April 1 2011

100% for Level I (115 apprentices)

98% for Level 2 (130 apprentices)


Completion rates for April 2 2009 – April 1 2010




Completion rates for April 2 2008 – April 1 2009




viii. The journeyperson to apprentice ratio, if any, for a similar trade in other jurisdictions

The current 1:1, 3:1 ratio is the industry standard across Canada and the United States.

ix. The supply of, and demand for, journeypersons in the trade and in the labour market

generally.

Our 1:1, 3:1 ratio has allowed us to maintain a steady workforce with the skills needed to perform the

applications necessary to move our industry forward and grow with the ever- changing construction and

industrial workplaces in Ontario. Jointly the Union and Contractor Association monitor industry ratios

with our market share and keep the relationship in balance at a 1:1, 3:1 ratio to steadily maintain the

high employment rate our industry has seen since the early 1990’s.

As Local 95 is provincial local closely tied to the mechanical trades and routinely monitors growth in the

mechanical trades and respond, in a timely manner, to growing demands in the labour force. Together

with the Master Insulators Association we belong to virtually every form of tender procurement notice


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network available in Ontario to monitor new and upcoming developments that pertain to our trade, and

shape our labour force accordingly.

Another sizeable share of the labour market demands that fall on our trade is from the realm of

retrofitting, maintaining and refurbishing existing facilities across Ontario. In such instances, we are

required to remove older insulation systems and once mechanical system work is completed, replace

them with new insulation systems that are significantly more effective and efficient. The recent move by

Ontario’s industrial and commercial operations in reducing their carbon footprints and energy

consumption is closely related to the trade of Heat and Frost Insulation. This growth has significantly

increased our role as assistants to companies and organizations in lowering their CO2 emissions and in

reducing their energy use, thus increasing the demand on our skilled apprentices and mechanics.

With these various influences continually acting on our labour market, along with the continual need for

insulators with strong skills and techniques, it is vital that we maintain a 3:1 ratio. This ratio will enable

us to provide adequate skill transfer from journeyperson to apprentice while not falling short on our

responsibilities to deliver efficient and effective systems to clients and customers across Ontario.

x. The attraction and retention of apprentices and journeypersons in the trade.

Our retention rate is incredibly high with very few members ever leaving the trade. As we look towards

the future with continual green initiatives and marketing towards the benefits of mechanical insulation,

we are quickly transforming. The old function of the heat and frost insulator as a supplemental trade is

changing to a trade that provides aesthetically pleasing results, which increase function and production

of systems and processes while reducing all costs associated with operations.

An additional aspect that makes the heat and frost insulator trade attractive and allows for an incredibly

high retention rate is our high employment rate. Local 95 averages over 90% of our membership


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employed on an annual basis. The remaining 10% includes those that take vacations, paternity leaves,

and travel cards to work out of province to perform Mechanical Insulation Applications.

Jointly the Union and Contractor Association monitor industry ratios with our market share and keep the

relationship in balance at a 3:1 ratio helping to steadily maintain the high employment rate our industry

has seen since the early 1990’s.

Our 3:1 ratio has allowed us to maintain a steady workforce with the skills needed to perform the

applications necessary to move our industry forward and grow with the ever changing construction and

industrial workplaces in Ontario.

Another attraction to Local 95 members is the sense of family felt by belonging to a smaller local that

conducts work all across Ontario. Members enjoy pensions and benefits in addition to being well

compensated ($15-$33/hour for journeypersons). The close relationship between the Union, its

members and the Contractors Association brings members and employers together, with the majority of

individuals knowing each other by name and sharing many experiences and memories together. This

helps to create a sense of belonging for everyone involved in the trade.

xi. The average age of apprentices and journeypersons in the trade and the projected attrition

of journeypersons working in the trade.

The average age of journeypersons working in the field of Heat and Frost Insulation is 43 while the

average age of apprentices is 31. The current ratio allows for enough apprentices to be trained to deal

with the attrition rate due to retirement.

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