City of Barrie won award sponsored by SafeStart
Last month, Canada’s Safest Employers Awards 2024 shone a spotlight on organizations prioritizing workplace safety, with the City of Barrie earning the distinguished title of Canada’s Safest Employer for Young Workers. The award, sponsored by SafeStart, a division of Electrolab Ltd., highlights organizations committed to innovative safety practices that ensure young and new workers are thoroughly protected and empowered.
“It’s an unreal feeling,” expressed Karen Cooper, manager of health and safety for the City of Barrie, during the award ceremony. Reflecting on this first-time achievement, she added, “this is a testament to our team’s collective effort. Safety is a culture here, and everyone played a part.”
Cooper anticipates that news of the award will spark enthusiasm across the City’s departments, with an email blast and a buzz of pride marking the start of even more robust safety initiatives: “I expect some friendly competition may ensue for future safety recognition,” she noted.
The Young Workers category holds special significance, as underscored by Barb Tait, CEO of SafeStart. She stressed the profound impact of ensuring safety for young employees: “The tragedy when a young worker gets hurt is immense; it’s a lifetime of loss and pain. We feel a deep responsibility to advocate for environments where young workers feel safe to speak up, ask questions, or stop work if something feels wrong”.
SafeStart itself was honored as Best Safety Industry Provider during the same event. Tait expressed gratitude for the award, acknowledging her team’s unwavering commitment to safety excellence.
“Winning this is a tremendous honor, especially alongside peers who are equally passionate about protecting people. Our clients return because we go above and beyond, and we’ve maintained this standard for over 25 years,” she said. The night’s energy, according to Tait, was palpable, driven by the shared commitment of safety professionals: “Safety people are extraordinary. They’re not in it for accolades but because they care deeply about others”.
This double celebration emphasizes a broader commitment to safety across various sectors. With leaders like SafeStart and exemplary recipients such as the City of Barrie, Canada’s workplace safety standards are not just being met—they’re being redefined for future generations.
