The Province of Ontario is studying Sarnia-Lambton's construction workforce to determine how we have achieved a safety record that is 25 times better than the provincial average. 

 

The Ontario Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) was so curious about our stellar record that it initiated a study examining  the past ten years of safety data (beginning with 1998)  from ten Sarnia-Lambton plants. They were amazed by the results. For example, in 2007 Sarnia-Lambton's construction sector incurred an injury rate of .8 per 200,000 hours worked  - compared to the provincial averate of 20 per 200,000 hours worked.

 

The study revealed a long-standing local tradition of effective safety training and a safety-first culture.  One of the key best practices learned from Sarnia-Lambton was the strong partnership formed between industry, labour, and the local building trades.  Such a collaboration is evident in the  Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Educational Co-operative (IEC) - which is a multi-partner organization providing a wide range of safety training to the construction trades and other sectors in Sarnia-Lambton.

 

With the help of the Sarnia-Lambton Industrial Educational Co-operation, the Ontario Workplace Safety Insurance Board is spending $100,000 to replicate Sarnia-Lambton's safety training (and, hopefully, our results) in other parts of Ontario. 

 

Lambton College's Skilled Trades Training Centre provides graduates in a number of construction trades. Photo - July, 2009, carpentry students at Lambton College Skilled Trades Centre

 

Of course the greatest benefits of safe construction practices are lives saved and injuries avoided, but there is a monetary benefit as well.  The US National Safety Council estimates the 2007 cost per disabling work injury (including wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, and administrative expenses) at $43,000US per incident. 

 

Sarnia-Lambton's construction safety record is good for both employees abd employers - and the profit margin.