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Connections in the community are powerful in helping to inspire positive change to create a strong safety culture in Nova Scotia. As outlined in the Workplace Safety Strategy for Nova Scotians, together, workers and employers will make Nova Scotia the safest place to work in Canada.
This is the first in an ongoing series to report on the community outreach activities WCB takes part in.
November 6th and 7th were two very busy days where Nova Scotia leaders came together to inspire each other to improve Nova Scotia’s safety culture. Federal Forum tackles injury management Nov 6th, 2013 saw the first-ever Fall Federal Forum. The event brought together over 80 leaders from 30 organizations in joint discussion to reduce work injury impact through visible leadership, engagement and best-practice. The forum was the result of a true partnered effort between the Federal Government (Employment and Social Development Canada), the Nova Scotia Federal Council, Canada Post, and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia.
Daryl Gauthier, Director, Human Resources, Canada Post, at the Federal Fall Forum
Leaders in these organizations discussed how their injury costs continue to climb while other industries’ cost are declining. They also shared tools for success and had collaborative conversations on reducing work injury impact.
Sarosh Rustom, Relationship Manager and others lead groups in discussions at the Fall Federal Forum
Small/Medium Enterprises improving safety outcomes A Small/Medium Enterprises session, focusing on what can be done to improve safety outcomes in the small and medium sized businesses sector, was attended by 27 small/medium Nova Scotian business leaders. The event was held on November 7th at the World Trade and Convention Centre and was organized jointly by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education (LAE) and the WCB in keeping with the Workplace Safety Strategy. It was a very diverse and engaged group of stakeholders that discussed what small/medium workplaces needed and what we should consider when developing tools and initiatives to support them. The session was concluded with a discussion on how to engage these enterprises to think about and participate in workplace safety. Leadership Matters More than 180 safety leaders from across Nova Scotia attended the Leadership Matters half-day conference on November 7th in Halifax. The event focused on advancing the Leadership pillar of the Workplace Safety Strategy by engaging leaders and sharing best practices. The action-packed agenda included an introduction by Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, Kelly Regan; a Workplace Safety Strategy update by VP Prevention & Service Delivery, Shelley Rowan and LAE Asociate Deputy Minister, Lora MacEachern, a presentation of health and safety research findings by Dr. Kevin Kelloway, a keynote address by Robert Patzelt, Scotia Investments, a panel discussion, and a motivational address about the importance of leadership, focus and discipline by WCB CEO, Stuart MacLean.
Hon. Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, strongly endorsed the Workplace Safety Strategy in her opening remarks at the Leadership Matters event.
Leadership panel lead by Dr. Kevin Kelloway, including Janet Knox, President & Ceo, Annapolis Valley Health; Brad Doell, VP of Supply Chain and Procurement, Nova Scotia Liquor Commission; and Noel Despres, General Manager, Comeau Seafoods