Partnerships drive change in manufacturing
Building strategic partnerships and working with employers to share best practices in occupational health and safety are goals that drive WorkSafeBC’s Industry and Labour Services Manufacturing team.
The manufacturing industry is diverse. It includes wood, metal, and plastic products, as well as food and miscellaneous products. Firms within this industry are varied, with distinct needs and technical issues. “For us, collaborating with a wide variety of partners is key,” says Chris Back, director of WorkSafeBC’s Industry and Labour Services team. “By working with openness, curiosity, and transparency, we can build relationships, engage in dialogue, learn, and share information to change attitudes and practices.”
For example, last year, the team partnered with the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) BC Chapter to create and sponsor a safety innovation award as part of the association’s annual Awards of Excellence. They saw it as an opportunity to recognize innovative programs, policies, tools, and projects that assist in reducing workplace injuries. News of 2015 winner Beckville Woodcrafts’ ergonomic workbenches spread quickly, allowing others to benefit from Beckville’s innovation.
Safeguarding, lockout, combustible dust, harmful exposures, and confined spaces remain top health and safety issues across the manufacturing industry. WorkSafeBC’s team works with associations, industry leaders, and employer groups to facilitate collaboration and cooperation to identify and find solutions for health and safety issues in different types of manufacturing processes relevant to their work. Safeguarding issues, for example, are different for a sawmill than for a printer.
The latest opportunity for collaboration is with B.C.’s growing craft brewery industry. WorkSafeBC’s team is working with the B.C. Craft Brewers Guild and employers in the industry to build awareness of health and safety risks in that industry.
“The opportunity to work in so many different industries and employer groups to develop industry-specific initiatives, resources, and solutions is very rewarding. It’s great that our team is able to provide and facilitate working groups with employers who are interested in improving health and safety,” says Rose McDonald, an industry specialist with WorkSafeBC’s manufacturing team. “Working with each industry helps us to communicate to them in their language about their issues.”
“Through our work, we’re able to change people’s attitudes about occupational health and safety and share safe work practices. That means people go home at the end of the day the same way they arrived — safe and healthy. And that’s rewarding,” adds Back.
A career making a difference
We're looking for someone to join our expanding team who knows the manufacturing industry, has experience managing teams, and shares our passion for workplace health and safety.
Visit our careers page to find out more about this exciting opportunity.