July 31, 2007
(Halifax – July 31) – On management agendas in many workplaces across the province, health and safety can sometimes be a throwaway item.
But at Debert waste management firm Atlantic Industrial Services, it’s now front and centre in every single meeting.
That’s just one of many changes after Atlantic Industrial earned a Certificate of Recognition (COR) from Frontline HSE Integrated, in partnership with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB), for their commitment to the health and safety of their employees.
“Our company’s philosophy is to have the highest possible standards for health and safety,” says Atlantic Industrial Services Vice President, Steve Handrahan.
“The COR program is a tool that helps us continue to reach that goal as safety standards evolve.”
CORs are issued by safety audit companies after an audit is completed by one of five Nova Scotia companies – in the case of Atlantic Industrial Services by Frontline HSE Integrated of Dartmouth. These safety companies conduct audits of a firm’s internal workplace health and safety program, identifying opportunities for improvement and granting the certificate when they confirm a proper program is in place. Auditors review documentation, observe employees at work as well as interview management and staff. The WCB signs the certificate after this process is complete.
“The COR standards program is an essential part of the WCB’s overall prevention mandate,” says John Banks, WCB Manager of Prevention Services. “The COR provides employers with a framework to develop, implement and evaluate their current and long term health and safety systems. Employers like Atlantic Industrial Services that embrace the process are great examples of Nova Scotia’s emerging workplace safety culture.”
In all Atlantic Industrial Services does - from the board room table to hands-on work in manufacturing, offshore oil and gas, pulp and paper and other fields, the company’s leaders now ensure that safety is a top priority – whether it means wearing appropriate personal protective equipment for the job at hand, or even reporting something that seems minor, rather than walking by it.
Another benefit of certification is access to bidding for certain work contracts, as a high standard of health and safety is required in order to qualify for many bidders’ lists. However, access to contracts is not the primary motivation for Atlantic Industrial Services, according to Frontline HSE Integrated.
“Companies like Atlantic Industrial Services understand the true purpose of the COR program, and they have a real safety culture in place. In these cases the certification process is a positive one for both sides,” says Jocelyne Clarke, Manager of Training and Audit Services for Frontline HSE Integrated.
“Our primary motivation is always to protect our workers, says Handrahan OR has been a great way for us to show our employees and their families that we are committed to the health and safety of our workers.”
There are five WCB-approved safety audit organizations in Nova Scotia which grant the certificate. They are: Frontline HSE Integrated, Safety, Jacques Whitford, Nova Scotia Safety Council, Nova Scotia Construction Safety Association and Occupational Health & Educational Services (2002) Inc. Working with any one of them can improve your company’s overall safety performance and reduce workplace injuries.
As Handrahan says, “When you’re starting from scratch COR is very helpful in setting up effective systems. And if you’re doing what you should be doing – that is running a safe company – then the certification process isn’t difficult.”
About the WCB
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia (WCB) is committed to keeping Nova Scotians safe and secure from workplace injury. The WCB provides workplace injury insurance for more than 18,000 employers, representing about 300,000 workers across the province. The WCB sets the standard for workplace injury insurance by informing and inspiring Nova Scotians in the prevention of workplace injury. If an injury occurs, we support those whose lives it touches by championing a timely return to safe and healthy work.