The Supporting Ontario’s Safe Employers program will reward the safest employers in Ontario with an estimated $140 million in funding.
Employers who successfully implement health and safety programs in their workplaces will get Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) rebates over a three-year period.
“We know that good health and safety practices save lives,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “But they also save money. This program is a reflection of that fact. Our government wants to do everything it can to make workers safer and help businesses save money.”
The program is open to any employer in Ontario, regardless of size or sector. It is led by the Office of the CPO. It was developed with feedback from labour, employers and other stakeholders.
“This is a big step for Ontario’s health and safety community as we continue to move forward in protecting workers,” said Ron Kelusky, Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer (CPO). “We’re adopting innovative approaches to become a modern regulator. Industry has long asked for rewards for employers who successfully promote health and safety in their workplace.”
Health and Safety Excellence
The WSIB is also launching Health and Safety Excellence, a program to promote continual health and safety improvement in Ontario workplaces.
“We know that businesses across the province strive to make their workplaces as healthy and safe as possible for their employees,” said Elizabeth Witmer, Chair, WSIB. “Our new Health and Safety Excellence program gives them a roadmap to improve health and safety, whether they’re just getting started or want to optimize processes they already have in place.”
The provincial program recognizes employers who’ve implemented a health and safety management system, the WSIB’s program encourage employers without a program to develop one.
“ATS Automation has valued participating as a stakeholder in consultations with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development through the WSPS Executive Advisory Committee to provide feedback on the benefits of engaging with prevention initiatives, and to highlight the positive impact of providing recognition to proactive companies in the manufacturing sector,” said Natalie Edery, CRSP, Manager, Corporate Health, Safety and Environment, Canada, ATS Automation Tooling Systems.
