Canada's Low Ranking in Occupational Health and Safety
Does this impact Productivity?

The Association of Worker’s Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) Disease and Fatality Statistics Program figures show that; “fatalities from work related accidents in Canada have risen from 758 in 1993, to 928 in 2004” follow reference # 1. The Annual Report of the Centre for the Study of Living Standards released November 2004 is also interesting, follow reference #4 for more information. These figures are in line with my personal views and concerns regarding general attitudes for safety compliance. While some organizations understand the benefits of safety, statutory responsibilities and have programs in place, there are many organizations that see safety as a great expense without a clear understanding of its impact in the lives of people they rely to making them successful in the world of business.

Companies that don’t have an effective safety program in place are encouraged to start their journey of learning by purchasing a copy of the new standard. Information about this new standard can be found following reference #2. To purchase a copy of the new CSA Z1000-06 Occupational Health and Safety Management standard, follow link #3, the cost of this document is $90.00.

How all this is connected with training? The report on Human Well-being and Economic Well-being, follow reference #5, clearly demonstrates (2001 study data) the “index of well being” that Canada and the United States score the lowest (see Chart 7: Index of Economic Well Being Scores for Selected OECD Countries, Equal Weighting, 1980-2001), while Norway and Germany have achieved the highest scores since 1991.

The fact that human capital investment is viewed as a great expense here in Canada and private sector training expenditures are less generally in North America compared to other countries in the world, indicate that we are not really serious about training. This does have a major impact towards our future, our workforce safety, our living standards and how we are viewed around the world as a player.

Bill Valedis

References:

AWCBC Statistics:
http://www.awcbc.org/english/NWISP_Stats.asp
CSA Z1000-06 Safety Management Standard: http://www.csagroup.org/news/announcements/default.asp?articleID=8840&language=english
Purchase the new standard at:
http://www.csa-intl.org/onlinestore/GetCatalogItemDetails.asp?mat=2018485
Centre for the study of Living standards (Index of Economic Well-being): http://www.csls.ca/arep/arep04.pdf
Report on Human Well-being and Economic Well-being:
http://www.csls.ca/reports/10-03-02_wider.pdf