About the Program

2007 Safety Group Members share $154,998.23 WSIB REBATE

Improving workplace safety is easier if you can learn from other firms’ experience and knowledge. The Safety Groups program provides companies with a network of those who share the common goal of reducing injuries and illnesses. Together, Safety Group members pool resources, share best practices and help each other develop and manage effective health and safety programs. Along with improving workplace safety, they can reduce WSIB premiums and earn financial rebates.

The Safety Groups Program is an approach the WSIB has taken to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses. The key idea behind the program is that a well-integrated workplace health and safety program makes good business sense. Firms from similar or different businesses or rate groups volunteer to form a group with a collective purpose: to learn from each other's experience in implementing injury and illness prevention programs. The firms then benefit collectively from the program rewards.

Why join Safety Groups?

How does the program work?

At the beginning of each year, your firm selects five safety elements that it will initiate or improve upon from the Safety Groups’ Achievement List provided by the WSIB. Firms will learn how to implement these initiatives through attending meetings, sharing ideas and pooling resources with other firms in your safety group. At the end of the year, the group can receive a rebate, based on the entire group's success in implementing their selected safety elements. In each subsequent year, a firm is required to maintain their elements from the previous year and pick five new elements.

Sponsorship

Each safety group has a sponsor. Sponsors can be from trade or employer associations. In our area Bay of Quinte Safe Communities is the sponsor. The role of the sponsor is to oversee the group and regularly report progress to the WSIB. They promote the group’s interaction by organizing joint meetings and leadership workshops. They offer guidance on action plan development and track the group’s progress.

Program Eligibility

To participate in the Safety Groups Program, your firm must:

* Have commitment from the owner or senior management to participate in the program
* Create and enhance a safety culture in the workplace
* Be a Schedule 1 firm
* Be in good standing with the WSIB
* Be committed to participating for a least one full calendar year
* Participate in only one safety group at a time
* Not be a member of the Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP).

Participation Requirements

To maintain your status in the Safety Groups program and to be eligible for the financial rebate, you must complete the following requirements:

* Participate in at least three safety group meetings throughout the year
* Complete baseline and year-end assessments of your firm's health and safety program strengths and weaknesses
* Develop and implement an action plan of health and safety elements
* Keep the sponsor informed of your progress
* Submit a year-end achievement report documenting your accomplishments for the year.

Some of the local businesses actively participating in the Bay of Quinte Safe Communities Safety Group are:

Bale-Eze Industries, Barretts Farm Supplies, Belcrest Nursing Home, Canadian Tire Napanee, City of Belleville, Community Living for Trenton and District,  Crown Ridge Place, D&J Robertson Select Foods, Deerhaven Farm & Garden, Elliot Sage, Friendly Manor,  GH Manufacturing, Hamilton Smith, Invar Manufacturing, K. Knudsen Construction, KG Reid Trenching, Meyers Transport, Pathways to Independence, PXL Crosslinkded Foam, Riverine Independent & Retirement Home, Sigma Stretch Film of Canada, Tim Hortons,  VIctoria Order of Nurses, Westgate Lodge,  and Williams Hotels.