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/358706
November 2013 19 W hen your employees do every- thing from trapping beavers to using explo- sives, safety has to be an integral part of each employee's workday. In the large, mainly rural municipality of Parkland County, in central Alberta, safety managers promote an active inter- nal responsibility system. "The commitment of management to our safety program is crucial. But the success for us is that our employees have taken ownership of it," says Jewel Day-Hampton, safety co-ordinator. "They are all looking out for one another." One of the key aspects of Parkland's safety system is an inspection program that requires managers to conduct one to three workplace inspections annually, chief administra- tive offi cer Pat Vincent says. Another important element is Gold: Parkland County Category: Public Sector SILVER: • Dufferin Aggregates • Ausenco Engineering CANADA'S SAFEST EMPLOYERS Safety mentors Beavers, cougars and bears, oh my! H enry Ewert has a straightforward approach to safety. For the president of Calgary-based Hallmark Tubulars, safety must be the fi rst priority for all 146 employees — over production or profi t. "It's about doing the right thing," he says. The company, which provides tubular goods to the oil and gas industry, fosters a family atmosphere, he adds, so it strives to help workers become more aware of risks, at work and at home, and to know how to manage themselves so they don't get hurt. Hallmark lives by the motto "Safety starts with me," and workers learn they are responsible for stop- ping unsafe acts, says Ewert. "One of the things we empha- size all the time is that people are not only empowered to do the right thing — and refuse to do anything that may be unsafe — but they're obligated to do it," he says. Hallmark's safety system has been honed over many years, says Monique Britten, director of health, safety, environment and quality. A com- bination of key HSE programs helps keep workers focused on safety and makes the system effective, she says. In its mentorship pro- gram, for example, new employees are placed with experienced co-workers for several months. "The mentor passes along the good habits and tries to nurture the new employee about the way that Hallmark operates safely." Other programs include emergency response simulation, safety rewards and recognition, and journey manage- ment, which aims to ensure workers reach their destinations safely through regular communication. In the event of a signifi cant near-miss, the hazard assessment and control program requires the HSE team to conduct a re-enactment to determine what went wrong and what needs to change to make sure the incident doesn't happen again. Britten says Hallmark encourages workers to examine procedures and try to devise innovative ways to improve safety. "In many cases, we act on their suggestions. We dedicate time, resources and money to try to fi nd a solution that will produce a safer way to do business," she says. Safety awareness starts during the interview process and continues through training and men- torship, Ewert says. The joint health and safety committee meets every month, and yard and warehouse crews attend weekly safety meetings. Some workers routinely attend safety assessment meetings before the start of any job. Staff at all locations can participate in regular health and safety lunch-and-learns. And, once a year, top executives visit the company's three locations to discuss a range of safety issues, encourage worker feedback and reiterate the message that safety is the company's top priority. Gold: Hallmark Tubulars Category: Mining and Natural Resources see page 20 Idustrial Scientific (4401).indd 1 12-08-03 1:22 PM