Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
Issue link: https://digital.thesafetymag.com/i/1277369
www.thesafetymag.com/ca 25 KEY CONCEPTS TO KNOW OVER 2,700 SAFETY PRODUCTS IN STOCK π SHIPPING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS COMPLETE CATALOG 1-800-295-5510 uline.ca ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING arising from different backgrounds and perspectives. And this diversity in perspectives has historically enriched our society as a whole and offers the same value for businesses. So, when I look at diversity and inclusion, it's really an understanding of the unique attributes that make us all special. I think we need to embrace more of that." [COS] What steps is your business/ organization taking to ensure a safer and more inclusive workplace? [NS] "As a Black-owned business, our challenges are different from mainstream companies. For example, in a recent online conference with our staff and suppliers, all the participants were people of colour except for one person. We're very proud of having come as far as we have mainly with Black, female and visible minority talent. Our challenge will be to maintain our unique character while also being open to specialized talents that do not come from our own initial company. "One of the things that we do is that we're open to everybody — I always say that we want to be the UN. And we make it a space where everyone feels safe, where they can contribute ideas, irrespective of anything whether that is sexual orientation, gender, race, etc." [RG] "I've gone out of my way within Horizon North to meet every one of my employees. I've been to every location and I've had the privilege of shaking the hand of every individual that works for us. And a big reason for that is to ask individuals that are out there [to] tell me about why you've come to Horizon North. What do you like about it? What can we do better? Explain to me if there is a better way of doing things?' [Going back to the first question], there's a listening component that becomes part of inclusion. So, your diversity piece is a place to start, but I think there is this notion of listening and including everyone as part of the discussion. "We've got a thing here [at my company] that we call 'don't walk by' and I really like it. From a physical safety perspective, it's intuitive: You're Source: University of Houston Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Diversity: "psychological, physical, and social differences that occur among any and all individuals. A diverse group, community or organization is one in which a variety of social and cultural characteristics exist." Equity: "The principle of equity acknowledges that there are historically underserved and underrepresented populations and that fairness regarding these unbalanced conditions is needed to assist equality in the provision of effective opportunities to all groups." Equality: "Evenly distributed access to resources and opportunity necessary for a safe and healthy life; uniform distribution of access that may or may not result in equitable outcomes." Inclusion: "The act of creating involvement, environments and empowerment in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued to fully participate."