Workplace safety was the discussion during an announcement on Monday morning in Regina.
The provincial government, Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and other dignitaries were at the Cumberland Gallery at the legislative building to present a new strategy to reduce serious injuries and fatalities in Saskatchewan.
The three-year plan outlines targets and actions that will help reduce high numbers in four injury priority areas: work-related motor vehicle collisions, asbestos exposure, falls from heights and firefighter cancer exposure.
Don Morgan, minister of labour relations and workplace safety, said part of their strategy will be an education and awareness program, and part of it will be increasing targeted interventions through Occupational Health and Safety.
OHS officers will work with employers and industries that have the greatest risks.
“They will focus their attention on them by doing more unannounced visits and working with them to develop a plan in each workplace,” he explained. “It’s not just a matter to tell them they are doing things wrong. It’s a matter of developing a plan in that workplace so they know what they need to do.”
Serious injuries and deaths in Saskatchewan workplaces spiked last year after there was a downward trend from 2012 to 2017. Over the last few years there have been approximately 30 workplace deaths in the province; last year there were 48.
Morgan admitted that 2018’s increase was part of the reason why it was time to implement a new safety plan.
He mentioned that there will not be additional workers added until it’s budget time. If there are additional costs, it will be warranted by WCB and will not be a cost back to the government.
Don Morgan speaks to the audience during Monday’s announcement. (Photo: Moises Canales/620 CKRM)
Gord Dobrowolsky, board chairperson for WCB, believes this is the right strategy for the province moving forward.
He said it is really bothersome that Saskatchewan has one of the highest numbers in Canada when it comes to work injuries and deaths.
“As of the end of October, 29 people lost their lives in this province simply by going to work,” stated Dobrowolsky. “[This strategy] will only work when everyone is pushing together. We’re looking forward to getting going.”
Fire chief for the Regina Fire Department Layne Jackson is relieved that one of the plan’s priority areas will focus on firefighter cancer exposure among other hazards firefighters face within their occupation.
Following the announcement, Jackson told reporters that he’s excited they will receive assistance after seeing what his co-workers and former firefighters have gone through in the line of duty.
“We have a strong family culture in the fire service. When one of our members develops cancer, it does have an impact on all of us,” said Jackson.
“We want our firefighters to be properly equipped with personal protective equipment; we always want to make sure we’re doing our best to come up with the most current practices that are in place.”
From 2011 to 2018, there were 354 deaths for workers who died on the job or as a result of their job. Around 2,400 workers in the province are seriously injured each year.
Visit WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s website to view a copy of the full strategy.