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Extreme Conditions Mean Extreme Safety 

April 8, 2026 in News
Explorer: Spring 2026

By Glen Strong 

A 2026 season full of transportation challenges has those dedicated workers looking at the safety issues of working on ice and in extreme weather conditions. 

We’d like to recognize the organizations involved in ensuring that residents get through to their communities and semi-trucks get through with goods and supplies. Most of the following are northern businesses: 

  • SAB Contracting, Ice Road Contractor 
  • Curtis Contracting, Ice Road Contractor 
  • Hailey’s Contracting, Overland / Ice Road Contractor 
  • Athabasca Lakeside, Ice Road Contractor 
  • P and M Contracting, Overland / Ice Road Contractor 
  • Black Lake Ventures, Road Contractor 
  • PAGC Education 
  • Pawistik Resources, Jim MacDonald-Trainer / Instructor 
  • Ashton Montgomery, A2Z Safety Training 

There are approximately 250km of overland road, as well as over 150km of ice road throughout the Athabasca Region from Points North to Uranium City. Lonona works with all of the road contractors to provide the necessary safety training for working in extreme weather conditions, with the ever-changing conditions of an ice road. A two-day safety training program on ice rescue is provided for the employees working on the ice roads, as well as a day that will focus on extreme weather survival. The week of April 20 – 24, 2026, will wrap up with two days of First Aid/ CPR training. 

Thank you to the Prince Albert Grand Council Education for the funding they provided. Also, a big thank you to the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure for their continued 25-year relationship with Lonona and the Athabasca Entrepreneurs.