Saint John: On September 27, at its Company Recognition Awards Breakfast, WorkSafeNB recognized Xstrata Zinc and Air Liquide Canada for their impressive efforts in improving workplace health and safety. The breakfast was part of WorkSafeNB’s 32nd Annual Health and Safety Conference, held at the Saint John Trade and Convention Centre September 26-28.
Located 20 kilometres southwest of Bathurst, Xstrata Zinc’s Brunswick Mine has been a major employer in the region since operations began in 1964. Metal mining is an important but inherently dangerous industry, as workers risk injury from rock falls, fires, explosions, falls, electrocution, chemical hazards and entrapment. However, Xstrata Zinc’s proactive health and safety strategy have reduced lost-time claims to well below the industry average. Kicked off in 2010, the Zero Harm: Our Commitment campaign was instrumental in helping Brunswick Mine enjoy a renewal in its safety culture and win the John T. Ryan National Safety Trophy for being the safest metal mine in the country in 2011, a year that saw its all-time lowest lost-time and incident frequency levels.
With operations in 80 countries, Air Liquide is a world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment. Air Liquide Canada, whose head office is located in Montreal, has served as the only air gas producer in New Brunswick since opening the doors at its Moncton plant in 1934. Its workers help deliver oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, helium, hydrogen and other gases to industrial and medical clients throughout the Atlantic region. Despite the risks associated with handling and transporting highly pressurized gas cylinders, Air Liquide has proven up to the task of keeping its employees and the communities in which it operates healthy and safe. From 1987 to 2008, Air Liquide’s New Brunswick operations did not record a single lost-time incident, one of the reasons the company enjoys assessment rates below the industry average.
“I’m extremely proud to recognize two New Brunswick companies who exemplify our goal for all New Brunswick companies – safe work,” said Shelly Dauphinee, vice-president of WorkSafeNB’s WorkSafe Services Division. “These employees and employers both have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and continuity to safe work practices and to a safe workplace. They have also shown exceptional leadership and innovation in promoting a safety culture, and, in doing so, they’ve not only significantly reduced injuries but they’ve decreased their premiums and improved their bottom line.”
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About WorkSafeNB
WorkSafeNB administers no-fault workplace accident and disability insurance for employers and their workers, funded solely through employer assessments. WorkSafeNB is committed to preventing workplace injuries and illness through education and the enforcement of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
WorkSafeNB recently recognized the efforts of Brunswick Mines’s Xstrata Zinc for improving workplace safety. Since opening its doors in 1964, the mines have served as a major employer in Gloucester County and in 2011, was the recipient of the John T. Ryan National Safety Trophy, awarded annually to Canada’s safest metal mine. The company was presented with a plaque and certificate at WorkSafeNB’s Annual Health and Safety Conference. Pictured, from left to right, are JHSC co-chairs Marc Gionet and Fernand Landry.