Learn how SafeContractor helps Sparklean

Sparklean has partnered with SafeContractor since 2012. We spoke with Mike Howes, President and Founder of Sparklean Restoration, to learn more about what health and safety means to their organization and the value SafeContractor approval has brought to their business. 

Tell us more about your company and the work you do. How long have you been in business and which areas do you service?

Mike Howes: Sparklean Restoration is a full-service fire and flood restoration company serving mainly the insurance sector within 200 kilometers of Edmonton since Sept. 1, 1992.

We help people who have suffered damage from fire, flooding, break-ins, wind damage and other emergency situations. Our work ranges from the initial response and emergency portion of a claim to replacing flooring and polishing furniture.

These projects may involve commercial or residential properties, with roughly an 80/20 split between the two.

Can you describe your role at the organization?

Mike Howes: I am the president and founder of the company. I started the business about 30 years ago as a one-person operation.

Today we have 35 full-time employees and several part-time staff. On a daily basis, I oversee operations and support hiring, training, networking and community involvement.

Why is health and safety important to your company? Why did you decide to become approved with SafeContractor? 

Mike Howes: Sparklean is a family business, so safety is simply part of looking after our family. Their health and well-being are our highest priority and we will go to any lengths to protect them.

SafeContractor approval provides peace of mind because it helps ensure we work with organizations that share our safety standards. That creates a safer environment for everyone and helps ensure we all go home for dinner each night.

What risks and challenges does your team encounter on the job? 

Mike Howes: Every claim we attend is different in scope, severity and magnitude. Our team needs to be ready for anything.

We often do not know what to expect until we arrive on site and assess the situation. Because of that, our job hazard analyses (JHAs) can vary significantly even for similar types of jobs depending on weather conditions or the severity of the claim.

For example, after fires it is important to have the structure inspected by an engineer to avoid falling through a floor or having a roof collapse.

Flood situations also present risks such as slips, softened subfloors and potential mold growth. Workers must also consider possible asbestos exposure. We do not enter a property until these factors have been assessed by an expert.

What made SafeContractor stand out among competitors?

Mike Howes: One of our customers in the property management industry suggested that SafeContractor would be the best fit for us — and it truly has been.

What value does being approved with SafeContractor bring to your business?

Mike Howes: We hope it gives customers confidence that they have chosen the safest and most reliable contractor for the job.

It also helps us stand out from other businesses. Being part of a program like SafeContractor provides validation and helps demonstrate that we operate to strong safety standards.

Ultimately, we hope it will help more clients recognize our commitment to safety and choose to work with us.

Has the approval process changed the way you view or approach health and safety?

Mike Howes: Fortunately, we were already practicing most safety procedures. However, the approval process allowed us to formally document the work we were doing.

Now, we can tell people that we are safe—and we have proof.

For example, insurance companies use scorecard metrics to monitor our performance. I can now show that 98.6% of the time we arrived within one hour of receiving a call from emergency services.

We can present these metrics along with our safety records and documented procedures. Teaching our team how to use these tools and keeping that documentation has been one of the biggest benefits.

What advice would you give other contractors looking to gain approval?

Mike Howes: It’s important for companies to commit to safety and adhere to their policies.

Being able to document your safety practices, policies and performance metrics helps demonstrate to organizations and regulators that you operate responsibly.

It can also support other certifications you may pursue, such as the Certificate of Recognition.