b'CSAM NEWSFROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CSAMWhy bother with safety?In todays rapidly changing workCanadian construction sites haveSAFETY AS Aenvironment, safety has moved from anseen over 500 fatalities. In OntarioSHARED RESPONSIBILITYafterthought to a core organizationalalone, the annual average approachesWebsters defines safety as value. Both employers and employees20 construction-related deaths. Inprotection from risk. When combined are recognizing the profound impactsManitoba, more than 50,000 lost-timewith the data, its clear that safety of workplace safety, not only as ainjuries in construction have beenis the most powerful tool available legal requirement but as a moral andreported, each affecting workers, theirfor preventing injuries and fatalities. practical responsibility. families and the entire Forward-thinking companies are workplace community. making safety a priority, with many Historically, workplace safety hasearning COR Certificationa ancient roots. Hammurabis Code inThe effects of a serious injury orrecognition of their commitment to 2000 BC dictated that an employerfatality resonate beyond the immediatesafety and quality in the workplace.should compensate a workersincident. Not only do they alter lives,A LASTING CHANGEfamily in case of death on the job.but they can also lead to emotional,Safety is now inseparable from Centuries later, Bernardino Ramazzinioperational and financial disruptions forconstruction work. The winds documented occupational healthemployers and employees alike. of change are here to stay, and hazards in medieval trades, whilecompanies that prioritize safety are not Percival Potts research in 1775 linkedWHY BOTHER WITH SAFETY? only complying with legal requirements chimney sweeps to cancer risks. TheseSome may still question the importancebut are also creating resilient, early insights laid the foundation, butof safety protocols, viewing them asproductive and protected workplaces. only recently has workplace safetytime-consuming or costly. Others mayThe choice is clear: make safety been systematically embraced. feel it wont happen to me. But theintegral to every task or risk becoming reality is that safety benefits everyone.another tragic statistic.THE REALITY OF SAFETY For employers, a strong safety program IN CONSTRUCTION reduces Workers Compensation BoardBy embracing safety, we safeguard our Safety is legally mandated in Canada,(WCB) rates, enhances eligibility forlives, our coworkers and the future of requiring employers to establish a safecontracts requiring safety standardsour industry.work environment and employeesand can lead to financial rebates. For to adhere to protocols. However, theworkers, safety means a more securestatistics reveal why safety matterswork environment, protecting them so deeply. Over the past 25 years,from potential life-altering incidents.Sean Scott Executive Director Construction Safety Associationof ManitobaVisit CSAMs websiteto learn more about safety: www.constructionsafety.ca.28 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'