The key to a safer workplace

Trimming The Trees - a worker is 30 feet up and grooming a palm tree in sunny Southern California

Workplace safety continues to be an issue for many companies, particularly those in the manufacturing industry. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, there were more than 900 work-related fatalities in 2012, with previous years showing a very similar figure. The same study found that the manufacturing industry had the second highest number of fatalities, surpassed only by the construction industry, and the second highest number of injuries, surpassed only by the health and social services industry. Implementing a comprehensive occupational health and safety management system (OHSMS) can help reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in the workplace.

A well-defined plan

Every organization carries some risks to worker safety. Having insufficient or no management system in place puts workers at a greater risk of illness, injury or worse. The key to reducing this risk is a well-defined OHSMS. This enables organizations to mitigate occupational health and safety risks, contributing to improved organizational performance and continuous improvement. A sound OHSMS also makes it easier for organizations to implement other occupational health and safety standards, like the latest edition of CSA Z1000 – Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems, for example.

A critical tool

CSA Z1000 is a critical tool designed to increase workplace safety, and applies to organizations of all sizes in virtually any industry. It is the core standard in a series of documents that address training, hazard identification, risk management, confined spaces, ergonomics and psychological safety. First published in 2006, the latest edition of the standard has been updated to provide further detailed guidance to help organizations improve their occupational health and safety performance.

Next steps

CSA Group is here to help. The company works with businesses, organizations and code authorities around the world to help create a safer, more sustainable world through testing and certifying products for safety and performance requirements, developing standards to support tomorrow’s technology, and developing solutions that strive to promote safety to industry and society.   

To learn more, contact CSA Group.

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