UNITY — May 23 and 24, Compass Minerals sponsored Kelsey Sperle, Health and Safety by Design, as a facilitator for bicycle safety instruction for students at St. Peter’s and Unity Public School.
Sean McCarthy, Ryan Schurman, Jeff Nemish and Ashlie Lopp led outdoor instruction and testing for the safety sessions.
Sperle presented information on proper helmet and bicycle fitting, bike pre-checks as well as road safety including hand signals.
Three hundred students ranging from kindergarten to Grade 6 completed the one-day course. Unity Public School had 210 students participating with St. Peter’s students numbering 130.
“Employees from Compass Minerals Occupational Health and Safety Committee helped to guide students through an obstacle course and assisted them in learning their hand signals,” Ashlie Kopp, EHS&S Supervisor for Compass Minerals says.
“Students were sent home with lights for their bicycle, stickers, information sheets and bookmarks …
“Compass Minerals (event sponsor) is always looking for ways to engage with our community. Our ultimate goal is to ensure our employees work safely, this includes both at work and at home.”
With Bicycle Safety Week recognized May 15-19, Kopp says it was an excellent opportunity to share their strong safety values with Unity’s elementary schools.
“Minerals sponsored the event by contracting Kelsey to provide the training,” Kopp adds.
“As well, staff volunteered the time of four occupational health and safety members to direct students through the obstacle course and assist in learning their new signals.”
"Having Compass Minerals work with the students on the bike safety obstacle course and Kelsey Sperle, Health and Safety by Design, presentation to the students has been a welcome addition to the school presentations this year,” Unity Public School principal, Karalyn Brown, says.
“We are at the time of year when many of our students are riding their bikes to and from school as well as around town in the evenings and safety reminders are always important. Of course, this is just a reminder and simply supplements the work parents do in coaching their children on how to ride their bikes safely.”
The activity went over very well so Compass Minerals is considering making it an annual event and would reach out to the RCMP for help and input at a future event.
