Winnipeg, MB - The City of Winnipeg has partnered with SAFE Work Manitoba to develop an industry based safety program (IBSP) for self-insured employers. This program will facilitate collaboration between some of the largest employers in Manitoba, including municipal, provincial and Crown corporations.
The City is part of a group of large self-insured organizations that do not fully align to just one industry, and as such, its operations do not fall within an existing IBSP.
Creation of the IBSP will enable the City to become SAFE Work Certified, a voluntary provincial standard for occupational safety and health developed by SAFE Work Manitoba used to measure organizations throughout the province. Certification to this standard will ensure consistent application of effective safety and health management practices, leading to fewer injuries and illnesses for workers.
“The City is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our employees. In 2016, we implemented a safety review protocol for all departments, conducted over 150 inspections across the organization, and 206 leaders participated in our Safety for Supervisors training program,” said Doug McNeil, the City’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Supporting the creation of an industry based safety program reaffirms our commitment to enhancing our practices and protecting our workers from harm.”
The program is anticipated to start in mid-2017, provided sufficient support is attained to create the IBSP. The City will provide a representative to sit as a member of the committee that serves in principle as the IBSP.
"SAFE Work Manitoba congratulates the City of Winnipeg for demonstrating true safety leadership in its support of an industry based safety program for self-insured employers," said Jamie Hall, Chief Operating Officer of SAFE Work Manitoba. "This sets the stage for the City of Winnipeg to participate further in the SAFE Work Certified program, a standard that is helping to reduce workplace injury and illness in organizations across the province."
Earlier this year, the City endorsed the SAFE Work Certified standard as part of its contractor safety process. As such, the City requires bidders on affected Bid Opportunities to submit written confirmation of a safety and health certification meeting the SAFE Work Certified standard on request.
See SAFE Work Manitoba for more information about the program.
See the City’s Contractor Safety Program for more information.