Ontario Furniture Manufacturers’ Safety Group earns $350,000 rebate from WSIB

Furniture World Magazine

The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) distributed a total of $350,735.39 in rebates to 31 Ontario Furniture Manufacturers’ Association Safety Group members at a ceremony held today at The International Centre. The companies participating in the Ontario Furniture Manufacturers’ Association Safety Group received the WSIB premium rebate for collectively improving their workplace health and safety performance through participation in the WSIB’s Safety Groups Pilot Program in 2000. "IAPA is excited with the results of this Safety Group partnership. The results clearly speak to the value of collaboration and partnerships. Working hand-in-hand with a goal to improving the performance of companies results in fewer injuries and reduces costs to companies. This is a celebration of the effectiveness of working toward the shared vision of elimination of all injuries and having a healthy bottom line as well. Safety and health do pay," said Maureen Shaw, President and CEO of the Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA). The Safety Groups Program, currently in its pilot phase, was implemented in 2000 to promote health and safety in the workplace. This is accomplished through mentoring, pooling of resources and sharing of best practices between member firms, their sponsor and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Each safety group has a sponsor that leads and coordinates the group. Working with the WSIB and Health and Safety Associations, the sponsor encourages and helps workplaces develop health and safety programs. At the start of the year, member firms select five safety elements they will initiate or improve upon. Firms attend meetings, share ideas and pool resources; learning from each other how to put these initiatives into place. In their first year as a Safety Group, the OFMA’s participating members achieved an outstanding average score of 82 per cent, which is a great reflection on the Safety Group’s success rate in improving the five safety elements chosen in their action plans. "The Ontario Furniture Manufacturing Association’s Safety Group is to be commended for the great example they’ve provided," said David Williams, President and CEO, WSIB. "By sharing your successes and challenges with each other, you’re helping us all to achieve our vision: the elimination of all workplace injuries and illnesses." Furniture manufacturing businesses that are interested in joining Safety Groups can contact Kathryn MacGregor, General Manager, OFMA at 905-677-6561. Recruiting for the 2002 program is now taking place. Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board plays a key role in the province’s occupational health and safety system. The WSIB administers no-fault workplace insurance for employers and their workers and is committed to the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses. The WSIB provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of health care, and assists in early and safe return to work for workers who are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease. For more information, contact: Perry Jensen, WSIB External Relations (416) 344-4202, 1-800-663-6639 or Kathryn MacGregor, General Manager, OFMA (905) 677-6561