What did you miss at 'Safety for the HR Professional'?

Our annual Safety for the HR Professional event was held at the Norwood Hotel on November 23, 2016. Our presenting sponsor, Safe Work Manitoba and Supporting Sponsor, Safety Services Manitoba, make it possible to put this event on each year and we are happy to be able to work with them to bring awareness to safety concerns that are prevalent in the workplace. HR professionals play an important role in ensuring all employees have a safe and supportive work environment to come to every day. By providing information on a variety of topics in one day is a valuable opportunity for all those who attend. 

We were fortunate to have Jamie Hall, COO of Safe Work Manitoba, bring greetings on behalf of the Presenting Sponsor to kick off the morning. Jamie also provided an update on the latest developments at Safe Work and a brief overview of the safety climate in Manitoba over the past year. Jamie believes we are on the cusp of monumental improvements in safety performance in Manitoba and in society as a whole. The development of programs such as SAFE WORK Certified are paving the way for companies to bring attention to their safety protocols and promote their workplaces as being leaders in safety. This program will allow SAFE Work to work with employers in multiple industries to develop safety programs and standards tailored to the needs of the industry. Monetary incentives will be awarded to employers who invest in the safety of their employees by becoming certified. The first certifications will be handed out in January 2017.

Joel Gervais, Addictions & Training Specialist at Vital Life Inc. spoke to the topic of managing substance abuse issues in the workplace. Joel is a regular presenter at HRMAM events and never fails to keep the audience captivated with the realities faced by HR professionals in today’s workplace. “Managing substance abuse issues is about changing the culture of an organization,” reiterated Joel. “Relapse is often a reality for individuals returning to the workplace post-treatment. . It’s going to happen and they are going to need your support.” The secret for employers is to find a balance between providing consistent regular support, and not getting too involved. Employers also need to be firm when needed and be able to set clear boundaries when necessary. Getting someone back to work and keeping them at work is one of the most critical factors in determining the success of one’s recovery.

Dr. Stephan Cooper, chiropractor, researcher, and health ergonomist, joined us for the first time at this event. To Err is Human, looked at incidents that occur in the workplace from a more scientific perspective. Human error is a reality - an unfortunate reality that can result in injuries and fatalities in the workplace. It is important to recognize this and try to limit opportunities for human error. By maximizing someone’s potential to complete a task correctly we limit the risk of human error and increase safety for all employees.

The second half of the day began with David Lampert, Prevention Consultant at Safe Work Manitoba, addressing violence and harassment in the workplace.  He explained that violence and harassment occur when there is an abuse of power and often a sense of entitlement. This can occur between coworkers; employees of different ethnicities, genders or social classes; supervisors and employees; or customers and employees to name a few. Over 50% of reported violent incidents occur in workplaces in the healthcare field. Those working in high risk industries need to take extra precautions to minimize risk for their employees. Changing culture and attitudes is the most effective way to reduce the number of violent incidences that occur.

Marnie Courage, Director of Enabling Access Inc., addressed the importance of integrating HR and safety departments in order to prevent injuries and disabilities from occurring in the workplace. It is of utmost importance for an HR professional to know how each of the jobs are done in an organization in order to fully understand where the potential risks are. By spending some time learning how everything is done and interacting with the employees who complete these tasks on a daily basis will allow you to effectively implement safety protocols and gain an appreciation for your employees. In turn, they will feel more comfortable in coming to you to disclose any concerns they have or reporting incidents that occur. It is a shift from a reactive culture to a proactive culture where everyone works together to prevent injuries from occurring that requires team effort from all levels in the organization. 

The day capped off with Paula Murray and Riley Deighton from Manitoba Public Insurance sharing the ins and outs of MPI’s newly implemented health and safety program. As a large organization of 1,900 employees spanning many different types of roles at various locations across the province, the program that has resulted is truly amazing and will continue to evolve and improve. The objective of the program was to integrate safety, health and security into all work practices based on a culture of collaborations, innovation and accountability. This multifaceted program includes 11 different elements including, but not limited to, the establishment of Safety & Health Committees in all work locations, enhancing emergency preparedness at their head office, improving office ergonomics and implementing safe work procedures for employees working alone. As they enter their second year of the program they will be looking to become Safe Work Certified in 2017.