The internet is familiar with explosion videos, but the Tianjin port explosions from 2015 were different. Its bright pillar of flame towered over buildings, shattered windows, and ended 173 lives. By the end, the port was a flat circle of soot under bent car frames and melted Seacans. It did not take long for people to start asking, “How is this possible?” The best guess of experts is the fire department’s hoses hit chemicals that turned explosive when mixed with water. The attending firefighters did not know what was burning as...
Our lives are stitched together by hundreds of small decisions a day. We decide on diaper brands, the best place to get moving boxes, and the best use of a budget. Yet—as the day wears...
Spring bulbs, summer flowers, fall leaves, and winter branches—oh, the beauty of seasons. But unlike in unbridled nature, in commercial landscapes, it doesn’t just happen naturally. It takes a landscape design that includes plants with...
My name is Danny Le and I've been fortunate enough to earn a position as a Labour Foreman. I have been working on a large site now for about 4 months, all thanks to M3...
With continuously increasing cars on the road and kilometres driven, traffic equipment trends focus on keeping road users and workers safe, especially as traffic peak hours force more roadside work into the evenings and nights....
When the Ministry of Transportation publishes a new 2020 Traffic Management Manual with a whole new set of minutia to figure out, wouldn’t it be nice to know you’ve hired the most capable and prepared...
Brittni was working in retail in 2012 when a friend who worked in construction suggested she consider getting her Traffic Control Person (TCP) ticket. She didn’t know much about the traffic industry at the time...
The Universal Group partnered with the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau on their 41st Annual Vancouver Motorcycle Toy Run!
With each new year comes new design trends and landscaping is no exception. Tranquil, plant-filled escapes have become a necessity as the shift from rural to urban living continues. Seventy percent of the world’s population...
In 2019, Surrey’s Vaisakhi event drew over 500,000 people including visitors from across Canada and the USA. With half a million people in the streets enjoying the procession of floats, musicians, dancers, and food, traffic...
We see signs in red, yellow, green, or blue, and we pay attention because we know they contain important information. At a glance and almost without thinking, anyone can tell that there is a safety...
Coming from a team with hundreds of staff on our roads each day, there is nothing like being prepared. One of the best ways to prepare is to build a roadside emergency kit that is...
My name is Peter Gallacher and I’m a longtime carpenter. I love carpentry and have honed my skills over time to achieve a Red Seal certification. But I don’t love handing out resumes and waiting...
Does your next project require traffic equipment? You could go out and buy it, or you could reach out to Universal Traffic Supply and rent everything you need! Besides the opportunity to partner with traffic...
Whether freelancers, gig workers, or temporary staff, these days, it’s not uncommon to seek out specific skills for the time you need them. Between these, temporary staff allows you to work with a staffing agency...
Michigan State University surveyed residents concerning the most important factors to perceived property values. At the top of the list? Landscaping! We’re not talking lawn mowing or tree trimming but thoughtful landscape design. Check out...
You know that saying, “Money doesn’t grow on trees”? Well, it’s not entirely true. With the help of Universal Landscaping, your trees (and plants and shrubs, etc.) can start saving you money in no time....
Field-Level Risk Assessment, Job Safety Analysis, Task Hazard Analysis, Field-Level Hazard Analysis—no matter what you call it, the process of stopping to identify and control hazards in your work environment is a crucial step in...
In a nutshell, a Traffic Control Field Supervisor ensures that Traffic Control Persons and Lane Control Technicians stay safe and follow all regulations because the risks of working in the elements amidst moving traffic can...
Call us if you need staff for your next event. Let us put together your next traffic management plan. Hire our flaggers to minimize disruptions on your project site. Sign up for a class to...
When you hire Universal Traffic Supply for your traffic equipment needs, you get much more than traffic equipment. As a Universal Group company, Universal Traffic Supply comes with over 10 years of experience in the...
Although roadside work hazards vary widely depending on the type of road, driving conditions, scale and duration of the project, etc., there are a few safety tips that workers should always keep in mind.
Learning about the basic principles of landscape design allows you to better define your landscape project. This is important when it comes to finding the right team to help you design, install, and maintain it....
Defining your landscape project and identifying the right team to help you design, install, and maintain it is easier if you’re familiar with the basics of landscape design. In essence, landscape design combines horticultural science,...
Wondering how to start a career in traffic control? We’ve laid it out in simple steps from becoming a certified Traffic Control Person (TCP), to working as a Lane Closure Technician (LCT), to becoming a...
Known as a pylon, witches’ hat, road cone, safety cone, or channelling device, everybody became familiar with the orange cone and the message of caution it carries. From towns to cities in Asia and Europe...
More and more of us make an effort to put the planet first. Some times are easier than others but all are worthwhile. When it comes to earth-friendly gardens, attracting birds, bees, and butterflies can...
Headed to a construction job interview? The management team will want to know if they can trust you to get the job done. You can expect them to ask questions about your work ethic, dependability,...
On-demand labour is a fantastic resource for businesses. Whether dealing with staff shortages, increased productivity, or expanded services for special projects, a business can access the skills they need when they need them through short-term...
There’s a chance you’ve seen or even walked on synthetic grass recently without knowing it. That’s because nowadays, it looks just like the real thing. But before you tell your lawn mower goodbye, there are...
While curb appeal most often comes up in conversations about property sales, given the chance, it can influence the way we experience buildings year-round. Street numbers, mailboxes, gardens, and paths set our expectations as we...
If construction or special events are going to cause interruptions to mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles, or interruptions to the community including surrounding businesses and residents, cities require a Traffic Management Plan (TMP). The...
If you’re passionate about ensuring safe work practices, maintaining safe work environments, and coaching others, you can succeed as a Construction Safety Officer (CSO). Helping others, that’s what a career in safety is all about....
WorkSafeBC requires all traffic control workers to have a Traffic Control Person (TCP) certification. This translates to a two-day course that combines classroom learning and field practice to ensure traffic control persons have the skills they...
To put it simply, Occupational Health and Safety specialists are those people keeping worksites and workers safe. How? By making sure everyone is following the rules and minimizing risks. Of course, there’s a lot more...
The field of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) deals with keeping workers, work environments, the public, and the environment safe. It follows that the qualities required to succeed will vary but here are just a...
We all take driver’s tests to demonstrate our understanding of the written rules of the road, but what about the unwritten ones? The written rules are important for keeping us safe, while the unwritten rules...
Did you know that investing into residential landscaping can actually save you money and offer you other great advantages, like improve your health and well-being? Read more to learn about 6 ways landscaping can benefit...
Keeping workers safe can seem like a daunting task if you don't know where or how to start. Workplace first aid may be the best place to begin. Here are 3 ways you can stay...
Construction managers and superintendents are responsible for every stage of a project. While many issues are difficult to avoid, you can reduce the number of problems you have with your contractor. Here are 5 ways...
Here are the tips that you should all know about for the Spring lawn care!
Here are our secrets to nailing your job interview in construction!
In constructing roadways, safety is paramount. It is crucial that your workers are safe along with the citizens that may surround your work. In British Columbia, creating a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) is essential.
Construction Safety Officers are the captains of all things related to occupational health and safety. Explore their duties, and maybe you can become one too!
Traffic control personnel are critical resources for keeping our roads and pedestrians safe, so it’s good to know what their job entails. Here is a little guide to learn more about what they do.
Most of the major construction projects involve subcontractors. They are there to save the main contractor’s time, risk and energy. Even though they are critical components in ensuring project’s success, some contractors are inattentive when...
In the sea of resumes and cover letters, how can you make your construction job application stand out?
Are you in the construction sector or want to go into the field? From professional development to career entry, check out the best health and safety courses to accelerate your career!
2018 is here! A new year means it’s time to revamp a lot of things in your life, and your garden could be one of them. Here are the Top 5 residential landscaping trends of...
Even the best laid-out plans don’t always work out. Life happens, and there’s nothing more unpredictable at work than scheduling your employees. From vacations to sick days and increases in demand, it is hard to plan how...
Hospitality agencies are field-specific temporary agencies that provide food, beverage and event-related support for your company. When considering a hospitality staffing agency for your next event, you might be curious about how these agencies operate.
Choosing the right temporary employment agency is critical to ensure your organization can ultimately benefit from temporary employment – but how do you know you are selecting the proper agency?
Temporary employment has moved far beyond hiring secretarial and clerical work. Today, temporary workers come with a unique skill set from hospitality staff to construction labourers and bring a wealth of skills and knowledge to...
It’s become more apparent that mobile and desktop applications have expanded beyond the everyday consumer and have made its way into professional industries. For the construction industry, many apps have focused largely on improving workplace...
If your organization has a property with a yard and grassy areas, there are plenty of ways to elevate the landscape design from basic to on-trend for this new year!
Here are 4 reasons why hiring a temporary agency is a great option to help you make your next event go from average to amazing. Impress your clientele and show appreciation for your employees by...
It’s one of the most beautiful times of the year when burnt orange and deep reds take over the trees and crisp winds have never felt more refreshing. There are several things to consider when preparing...
No matter what sector your company is in, employees in every field of industry face dangers that threaten their lives and health every day. It is crucial for businesses to understand how health and safety...
Accidents are unexpected and can occur anytime in every workplace. Here are six essential factors of workplace health safety you should consider to build a cooperative, safe, and efficient work environment.
Occupational first aid courses cover a ton of information from CPR, dealing with small wounds, sprains, shock, spinal injuries, to managing emergency situations. But which OFA course do you need?
Lunch and learns are the new trend taking over workplaces and for good reasons. Lunch and Learns are 30-60 minute sessions where coworkers get a chance to enjoy each others' company, indulge in some food and...
Your ideal employer wants to bring you in for an interview to see if you hold up to your resume. Here are 7 of the top construction interview questions for construction and trades jobs.
The balance of work and home life can be a struggle, but there are many apps that can make your colleagues more productive before, during, and after work.
Everybody loves that fresh cut lawn smell in the Spring, but a well-maintained lawn starts well before the flowers begin to bloom! Here are 5 winter lawn care tips to make this year’s lawn one...
When you are applying for jobs in construction, your application will be the first thing that the hiring person will see from you. In the sea of resumes and cover letters, how can you make...
Creating a positive mindset at work can be much simpler than rock-climbing walls and rooftop mini-put. Here are a few things that can be implemented in the short-term to boost morale, and increase positivity at...
It is crucial to employ the right flagging and traffic control company to meet traffic management guidelines, project goals and the safety of the road users. Here are important points to consider when choosing a flagging...
Hiring a subcontractor for short-term projects is beneficial regarding cost, efficiency, and the quality of the services. However, finding subcontractors is a tricky thing. The process of hiring a subcontractor is as crucial as hiring a...
Most people in the construction industry can agree that the superintendent is held accountable for the completion of the project from start to finish. From taking part in the bidding process to overseeing all the...
Better safe than sorry is a motto we like to live by, especially when dealing with one of the most dangerous industries in Canada. Construction is not an easy job and there are many precautions...
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Where the air is crisp, the sweaters are cozy and pumpkins are the main attraction in every recipe. If you’re looking to get crafty this Halloween season...
