In 2009, businesses in Ontario's agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors achieved their lowest ever lost-time and no-lost time injury frequency rates, and an 18% reduction in total injury frequency over the previous year.
"These achievements are impressive, all the more so in an economic recession," says Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) president and CEO Elizabeth Mills. "It's an indication that Ontario businesses are recognizing how an unwavering focus on preventing injury and illness also impacts organizational performance and productivity." WSPS is the organization resulting from the January 1, 2010 amalgamation of Farm Safety Association (FSA), Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA), and Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA).
"Fewer injuries and illnesses reduce the horrific personal cost to workers as well as families and co-workers," notes Mills. "It also reduces other costs that affect productivity and, ultimately, employment." According to Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) calculations made in 2009, the average lost-time injury in Ontario costs $130,000. Direct costs to the WSIB account for about 20% of this figure.
The business advantage of injury prevention is a key message that WSIB chairman Steve Mahoney aims at everyone in the workplace. "Exemplary workplace health and safety practices belong on the 'asset side' of the ledger," wrote Mahoney in an open letter to Ontario employers and workers. "The majority of Ontario's employers understand this...Now, more than ever, focusing on health and safety in the workplace will reap much-needed financial returns for Ontario's employers."
WSPS represents 154,000 Ontario businesses and 3.8 million employees (see "WSPS Firms' Injury Frequency" for specific rates). It's one of four new organizations created out of Ontario's 12 health and safety associations. Collectively, these four organizations also achived significant results in 2009, reducing total injury frequency by 16%.
WSPS Firms" Injury Frequency, 2009 / 2008 (%Improvement)*
| Organization | Lost-Time Injury (LTI) Frequency | No Lost Time Injury (NLTI) Frequency | Total Injury Frequency |
| Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)** | 1.10 / 1.33 (17%) |
2.64 / 3.23 (18%) |
3.73 / 4.56 (18%) |
| Farm Safety Association (FSA) | 2.37 / 2.45 (3%) |
3.99 / 4.31 (8%) |
6.36 / 6.77 (6%) |
| Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) | 1.05 / 1.35 (22%) |
3.18 / 3.90 (19%) |
4.23 / 5.25 (19%) |
| Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA) | 1.09 / 1.27 (14%) |
2.09 / 2.51 (17%) |
3.18 / 3.78 (16%) |
| All Ontario organizations | 1.27 / 1.51 (16%) |
2.93 / 3.52 (17%) |
4.21 / 5.02 (16%) |
* 2009 rates as of March 2010; 2008, March 2009
** collective results for IAPA, FSA and OSSA, which formally amalgamated on January 1, 2010 to become Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
Source: Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
A more strategic approach to statistics
A growing focus on total injuries, which includes lost time injuries, fatalities, and no lost time injuries, is part of a longer-term focus on prevention. Until recently, the primary focus had been on lost time injuries.
Tom Beegan, chief prevention officer for the WSIB, elaborates on this change: "The Road to Zero prevention strategy outlines our mission: lead and partner in the creation of the healthiest and safest workplaces in the world, where zero injuries and illnesses is the only acceptable mesaure of success. Measuring the performance of total injuries allows for a thorough understanding and analysis of all injuries in Ontario. This enables us to identify the areas of greatest need in order to achieve our mission of zero."
Amalgamation: refocusing and leveraging system resources
Streamlining Ontario's 12 health and safety associations into four organizations will provide more front-line prevention staff and services to support Ontario businesses, while at the same time lowering operating costs and reducing duplication of products and services. (Learn more about the amalgamation)
Since amalgamation began, WSPS and the other three new health and safety organizations have been working on innovative and cost-effective health and safety initiatives. One of the most visible examples has been "Partners in Prevention 2010: Ontario Health & Safety Conference & Trade Show," May 4-5 in Mississauga, ON. All four health and safety organizations collaborated on the event, which drew 4800 attendees, of which 1400 were conference delegates, and 265 exhibitors. The Mississauga event was just one in a series of conferences, trade shows and days of workshops taking place across Ontario. (For a list of what's happening where, see "Partners in Prevention Events," below.)
The following examples illustrate other WSPS initiatives:
2010 Partners in Prevention Events
Conferences and trade shows
Days of Workshops
How we can help you
The collective resources of Workplace Safety & Prevention Services' three legacy associations; FSA, IAPA and OSSA, offer you easier access to cost-effective, sector-specific products, services and expertise. Check us out by topic.
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