Looking for new ways to prevent the incalculable costs of workplace accidents, measured in both human terms and dollars, WCB's Occupational Health and Safety Division has recently introduced a new educational initiative.
Working with Dalhousie University, George Stewart, Director of WCB's Occupational Health and Safety Division, arranged to import a "DalTech" Certificate Program to the Island. The first course, a five-day program entitled, "Designing & Implementing an Occupational Health and Safety Program," ran October 4 - 6 and 25 - 26 at the Best Western Charlottetown. Mr. Stewart also acted as General Instructor.
Twelve occupational health and safety professionals invested five intensive days to learn the latest techniques for improving safety in the workplace. Participants represented a cross section of private and public sector organizations Prince Edward Island. The new program equips OHS professionals with practical tools and creative methods to make safety part of the culture in their own workplace environments, "beyond hard hats and safety boots."
"We see this educational focus as an important step in our continuing effort to focus on the causes, rather than just the effects, of workplace injury," said Jim Lee, Chairman of the Workers Compensation Board.
Following this successful launch, WCB's OHS Division, in partnership with DalTech, plans to make further courses available to Island safety professionals through the winter and spring periods.
For more information, contact George Stewart, Registered Safety Professional Director, Occupational Health and Safety Division, Workers Compensation Board of Prince Edward Island, (902) 368-5697.