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NORTH BAY, ONT. — Workplace Safety North (WSN) has introduced a new awards program, the WSN Risk Management Awards, to recognize Ontario mining and forest products companies who are following the control activities designed to minimize risk and keep workers healthy and safe.

The awards build on the provincial risk-based analysis program by using the industry’s own research to focus on the most effective ways to protect workers and also builds on evidence-based research from the WSN Internal Responsibility System Climate Assessment and Audit Tool, indicates a release.

The awards are based on health and safety research from each specific sector. Over the past few years, workers and managers have been meeting in risk assessment and root-cause analysis workshops to talk about and rate the workplace hazards that worry them most.

From the research, WSN created a database of the top 10 risks of all sectors in the mining, forestry, paper, printing and converting sectors in Ontario.

This year, the top mining risk targets pedestrian and mobile equipment interaction. The forest products sector is focused on lockout and tagout of machines and equipment to address stored energy hazards.

“The risk management awards focus on how high-risk hazards are managed, and rewards companies that can demonstrate they have key practices in place to keep workers safe and healthy,” said Cindy Schiewek, WSN director of health and safety services, in a statement.

“It’s important to recognize all the research industry has done and spotlight how they are tackling the top health and safety risks in their sector. The really nice thing about this award is that it focuses on the specific top risks identified by workers and managers in the industry.”

Applications are due April 30. Once approved, companies submit an assessment by June 15 and WSN staff will conduct field visits to verify submissions by July 31. Award winners will be recognized at the WSN annual general meeting held in North Bay and virtually in September.

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