How Sarens is helping an Ontario city become a top sugar producer
The Port of Hamilton in Southwestern Ontario is known for its industrial skyline, and now Sarens, a global leader in heavy lifting and engineered transport, is helping add to it with the creation of a sugar refinery. This ambitious build will see the city contribute more than one million metric tons of sugar production annually by 2025, but executing it safely is no simple task.
“Any time you’re working with cranes and overhead lifting, there’s a lot to coordinate,” says Carter El-Fityani, technical solutions engineer with Sarens. “There’s always a mix of tradespeople on-site, so it’s crucial to establish roped-off zones for fall hazards and make sure everyone is aware when there’s overhead work.” This emphasis on clear communication is foundational to Sarens’ approach on the Hamilton site, especially with the project’s structural challenges and the added pressures of a winter timeline.
Safety strategies on site
The Sarens team is responsible for installing heavy processing equipment and, at times, dismantling parts of the steel structure to enable larger components to be lowered into place. El-Fityani and his team work closely with Exact Industrial, the main contractor, to ensure that every crane movement, lift, and installation is carried out as safely as possible.
“Good ground conditions are essential,” El-Fityani explains. “We worked with the site owners to fill areas with compacted gravel so our outriggers have a stable base, especially during winter. Poor ground conditions can lead to instability, which is unacceptable in a high-stakes lifting environment.”
Sarens also prioritizes equipment inspections to maintain safety standards. The team conducts regular pre-use inspections on cranes and rigging equipment. “A visual inspection on site is standard practice for us before any use,” says El-Fityani. “But even before that, our equipment goes through thorough shop inspections to make sure it’s up to the highest standard.”
Adjusting for winter conditions
With Ontario’s winter approaching, Sarens has developed additional safety protocols to prevent common seasonal hazards. Snow and ice pose a significant risk, particularly when personnel are working at heights. “Once temperatures drop, slip hazards become a serious concern, especially for anyone working on building steel or scaffolding,” El-Fityani notes. “So, we allocate extra time to critical tasks to make sure nothing is rushed just because it’s cold.”
The crew also adapts their workwear to the winter elements. “Our team wears thicker gloves and extra layers, which can sometimes make tasks more cumbersome,” says El-Fityani. “But it’s worth it for the added warmth and safety. In the end, we focus on planning for these adjustments so everyone remains safe and efficient on site.”
Coordinated safety efforts across trades
A major challenge for Sarens involves coordinating crane operations with other construction activities, which are often happening simultaneously. “We’re constantly communicating with other trades,” says El-Fityani. “If we’re working in a particular zone, we ensure it’s securely roped off, and everyone in the area knows exactly what’s going on. Even a small item dropped from height can become a safety issue, so keeping everyone informed is critical.”
Sarens’ approach also includes ongoing collaboration with Exact Industrial and site managers to keep safety standards aligned across all teams. According to El-Fityani, Sarens' role is not just about lifting but about "making sure we’re all on the same page so that no work compromises the safety of another team on site.”
As the Hamilton refinery project progresses, El-Fityani believes that Sarens’ commitment to high safety standards is integral to the project’s success. “It’s a big build with a lot of moving parts, and winter will add its own set of challenges,” he says. “But with the right safety protocols, we’re confident we can work smoothly and safely through it.”
By focusing on proactive planning, ground stabilization, equipment checks, and careful coordination, Sarens is helping to set a standard for workplace safety in complex industrial projects.
