A Message from WorkSafeNB’s Vice President, Prevention Division: Three Safety Tips for Safety and Health Week
Next week marks Safety and Health Week. Since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared, we all have a renewed appreciation for safety. Workplaces across our province, and in fact the world, adapted quickly to follow safety protocols such as keeping staff and patrons six feet apart, mandatory mask wearing, and additional cleaning measures. Many employers thought outside the box and reimagined their workplaces by having staff work remotely or creating physical barriers. The pandemic has shown our resiliency and our commitment to putting each other and safety first. At the end of the day, we work safely so we can come home to our family, friends, and community. Sadly, the impact of a workplace injury goes beyond the employee; it affects their co-workers, families and the wider community.
It is my hope that this year’s enhanced focus on workplace safety continues to be part of our new normal long after the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the end of the day, we work safely so we can come home to our family, friends, and community. We can never forget the impacts of a workplace injury, and they go beyond the employee; it affects their co-workers, families and the wider community. It is my hope that this year’s enhanced focus on workplace safety continues to be part of our new normal long after the COVID-19 pandemic and that we can use this as an opportunity to further improve health and safety in New Brunswick workplaces.
This year’s theme for Safety and Health week, “Make safety a habit”, is intended to nurture a health and safety culture that results in positive behaviours. And driving a safety-first culture should be as much a habit as your daily coffee or evening routine. Here are my three tips for to help make safety a habit:
1. Be a leader in safety, no matter what your job title
Show leadership in your actions by making safety a priority on the job. Start meetings with a safety share. Get engaged with your workplace joint health and safety committee. Recognize positive safety behaviours in your workplace and let your colleagues know you appreciate their focus on safety.
2. Update your health and safety programs
Safety and Health week falls in the spring. Why not consider it the spring cleaning of your health and safety programs? Best practices evolve and there is always room for improvement. Stay up to date with resources from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, WorkSafeNB Safety Topics on our website, and download the NB OHS Guide app.
3. Encourage healthy habits
Encourage habits that are positive for your teams’ physical and mental health. Start a daily step challenge, share mindfulness and meditation resources and consider engaging a healthy lifestyle guest speaker.
I wish you all a happy Safety and Health week and hope you make safety a habit and inspire others to do the same. Thank you for your dedication to healthy and safe workplaces in New Brunswick.
Tim Petersen, Vice President, Prevention Division, WorkSafeNB