Blog Post #1044 – Safety, Mental Health are Key in British Columbia

Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine

A whopping 94 % of working Canadians say workplace health, safety and mental well-being are important when choosing a job, but only 77 % of them think that decisions made in their workplaces consider employee health and safety all or some of the time, according to an Angus Reid poll commissioned by the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of B.C.

“What this tells us is there is a gap between what is currently happening in Canadian businesses and the management best practices that would help employees feel safer at work,” Lisa McGuire, chief executive officer of Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC in Chilliwack, says in a statement on May 14, 2019.

According to the survey conducted in February, 97 % of women regarded workplace health and safety as very or somewhat important, compared to 91 % for men. Among young people, 96 % of those aged between 18 and 34 said it was very or somewhat important compared to 93 % of those over 35.

Executives from the Alliance and board members met with Minister of Labour Harry Bains and MLAs from across the province in Victoria to raise awareness safety.

Due to challenges in staff recruitment and retention in the face of the lowest unemployment in Canada, more British Columbia employers are recognizing that they need a robust health and safety system to attract and retain qualified workers, McGuire says. “We know that a safe and healthy workplace is what job-seekers are looking for.”

Employers in the province lost 2.75 million days to work injury or disease, WorkSafeBC’s 2018 statistics note.

My opinion

In the old days, it was just enough to have a job for 30-40 years and hoped that the employer will protect your health and work to keep you safe. Well, those days are gone. Most employers DO respond to the day-to-day challenges dealing with occupational health and safety but many still do not. (hence the need for government oversight)

There are ways to ensure that the culture of your business can be a safety culture.

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

Ensure your workplace is a safe place.

Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Due Diligence’ and ‘Standard Operating Procedures’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.

We can also be reached at 

‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.

Daniel L. Beal

CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.