BY JASON THOMPSON
A group of about 20 Sudbury area managers tired of complaining about the costs of workers? compensation premiums have done something about them.
They enrolled in a workplace safety program which offers participating companies a five percent rebate on their WSIB (Workplace Safety and Insurance Board) insurance premiums. The four-week course is offered by the Safe Communities Coalition in co-operation with the WSIB at the St. John Ambulance building on Bancroft Drive.
The enrolment fee is $100. Some businesses receive as much as $5,000 rebate on their WSIB premiums.
SCIP (Safe Communities Incentive Program) is the first program of its kind to come to Sudbury targeting company owners and senior managers with the message of workplace safety hoping a trickle-down effect will relate the importance to employees.
?You have to lead by positive example,? said Fire Chief Donald Donaldson.
At a recent ?graduation? ceremony, Michal Vezina, executive director of St. John Ambulance, offered her congratulations to the managers. She said it was encouraging to see leaders and bosses set an example for their staffs.
?This is something we need to do, not just pay lip service,? said Vezina about the SCIP program and its teachings.
Vezina also encourage program participants to tell other business owners and managers of the long and short-term benefits of SCIP.
A second stream of SCIP participants representing 26 companies have begun their introductory workplace health and safety course Wednesday afternoon with Robert Harper, WSIB community program director.
Leadership, policy, roles and responsibilities relating to health and safety are all topics discussed during the SCIP course, said Harper.
Hazard identification, safety and control as well as return to work policies are also discussed.
?In the event that health and safety does break down and somebody is injured, what can we do to help the employer get that worker back to work sooner rather than later,? said Harper.
Donaldson said a preventative attitude is required to promote safety not only in the workplace, but at home and at work.
?Safety is a 24/7 operation. When you break your leg at home, it doesn?t hurt any less than it does at work,? said Donaldson.
The fire chief also expressed that the long-term financial impact as a result of being health and safety conscience goes far beyond the five percent rebate.
Lost wages, lost productivity, no rising WSIB premiums or rising health-care costs should serve as enough of an incentive to get businesses interested in SCIP, said Donaldson.
Lynn O?Brien is the co-ordinator of the SCIP program. She can be reached at 524-7223.
