Municipality receives award for reducing workplace injuries
The City of Courtenay in British Columbia has been recognized by the BC Municipal Safety Association with a 2022 Safety Improvement Award for work done over the past ten years to reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries.
The municipality decreased the number of employees being hurt on the job by 60 percent. The special recognition came back in October at the Joint Public Works Association and BC Municipal Safety Association Annual Conference. But Courtenay staff updated council on the award and the program earlier this week.
“We are so proud of the city’s safety program,” says Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells. “Our enviable safety record is helping keep our staff safe. Every injury we prevent is a worker saved from harm, and I want to acknowledge the contributions of every single city employee for this achievement.”
Wells lost his father to a workplace accident when he was just a child, so he has a personal connection to the issue.
“This deeply affected my family and changed the course of our lives. I talk about it because I know I am not alone, and by raising awareness we can help reinforce the importance of workplace safety. This is personal to me, so I’m incredibly proud of the city’s ongoing and proactive efforts on our award-winning safety program.”
The city has a workplace safety program that engages with all of the staff and includes educational components, as well as an internal responsibility system.
It takes a collaborative approach between managers and supervisors and the workers they oversee. Employees are encouraged to speak up and report anything they feel is unsafe, while managers and supervisors coordinate training, implement control measures, and ensure reporting systems are followed.
The city has below-average injury rates and time loss, which means it qualifies for a 15 percent reduction in the base rate in WorkSafe insurance premiums.
