WorkSafe Saskatchewan has adopted a new strategy it hopes will prevent fatalities and serious workplace injuries in the province.
The Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy was launched Monday. The three-year plan is a product of WorkSafe Saskatchewan, which is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
“Safety needs to be a priority in every workplace and across all industries,” Don Morgan, Saskatchewan’s labour relations and workplace safety minister, said in a media release.
“Workplace injuries and fatalities are absolutely unacceptable and leave a devastating impact on loved ones. I’m pleased that we have been able to work together with a number of stakeholders to develop a strategy with concrete actions that will help to reduce the number of workplace fatalities and injuries.”
Around 2,400 workers are seriously injured each year in the province. From 2010 through 2018, the WCB reported 354 cases of workers who died on, or as a result of, their job.
The new strategy establishes targets for reducing the number of injuries and the actions that will be taken to attain those goals. There are four injury priority areas: Asbestos exposure; work-related motor-vehicle crashes; firefighter cancer exposure; and, falls from heights.
“Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility and this strategy looks to build on the work that is already taking place to reduce serious injuries and fatalities,” WCB board chair Gord Dobrowolsky said in the release.
“If we are to be successful, we need to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders so workers go home safely each day.”
More to come.
Stay In Touch: