News release

For immediate release

Saanich wins safety improvement award

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich won the Safety Improvement Award at the BC Municipal Safety Association’s annual awards celebration in 2020.

The Safety Improvement Award recognizes local governments for activities that improve experience rating, and reduce injuries, illness, disease and fatalities.

“Our success stems from the commitment that all staff have to our safety culture,” said Occupational Health and Safety Manager Rebecca Chow. “Every employee is committed to take action, support their colleagues and follow our health and safety processes.”

The momentum for this award started several years ago with the redesign of Saanich’s Workplace Injury Management (WIM) program. The introduction of the WIM program resulted in improved injury reporting, more focus on stay at work and return to work opportunities, and an increase in awareness of alternate duties for employees returning to work. These positive changes provided additional support to ill or injured employees and resulted in a reduction to Saanich’s experience rating.

An experience rating is a discount or surcharge that allows WorkSafeBC to ensure the costs of compensation for workplace injuries are distributed fairly. Creating a safer and healthier work environment, and helping injured workers recover can improve experience rating, reduce claim costs and reduce insurance amounts.

The Occupation Health and Safety (OHS) Division supports Saanich’s OHS and WIM Programs both of which are COR certified by WorkSafeBC. OHS also plays a key role in supporting Saanich’s response and planning efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BC Municipal Safety Association is a non-profit society which aims to improve worker health and safety and enhance safety culture through the sharing of knowledge and resources.

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Media contact:
Megan Catalano
Communications Manager
megan.catalano@saanich.ca
250-475-7639