With employee safety at the top of the agenda in countless industries, it makes sense that experts gather to discuss all aspects of safety, and the place for that is the Canadian Safety Summit. Each year, experts from around the world meet to define the future of safety standards and discuss how to work towards making injuries and incidents a thing of the past.
Last month, the Canadian Safety Summit took place and covered a range of topics, from AI to psychological safety. We wanted to provide you with a quick overview of what you missed and discuss what it means for the future of lone worker safety.
Industry leaders, safety professionals, and legal experts flocked to The Pearson Convention Centre this year to discuss the world of occupational health and safety (OSHA) regulations.
During the summit, many insights were shared and many trends were covered. One session, conducted by Adrian Miedema, covered the current focus of safety authorities and examined the direction that regulatory bodies are moving in. There was also plenty of buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) and embracing innovations.
Some of the main trends that we saw highlighted included:
There's been a clear trend of increased fines and stricter enforcement of safety regulations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) across Canada. This shift aims to ensure better workplace safety and hold organizations accountable.
Notably, provinces like Ontario and Saskatchewan have significantly increased maximum fines. For example, Ontario's maximum fines for first offenses have jumped to $2 million, indicating a higher financial risk for non-compliance.
Miedema's analysis showed that provinces like Alberta and British Columbia see higher average fines and more frequent administrative penalties. While average fines have varied, the general trend is towards higher penalties, especially in severe accidents or fatalities.
Alberta, in particular, has been active in prosecuting significant accidents, with a recent case involving a $500,000 fine after a fatal incident. In Manitoba, fines have remained steady, but the average amount has increased. If you want to find out more about the different rules and laws across Canada’s provinces and territories, check out our guide to Occupational health and safety legislation and regulations in Canada.
A trend in regulatory enforcement is the extension of the limitation period for laying charges in Ontario, from one year to two years. This change significantly impacts how workplace safety violations are prosecuted.
Safety expert Miedema noted that this extended period gives authorities more time to identify and charge violations. This means incidents can be investigated more thoroughly, and organizations may face charges for violations discovered well after the initial incident.
The extended limitation period aims to enhance accountability and ensure that safety breaches do not go unpunished due to time constraints. This change reflects a stronger commitment to enforcing safety regulations and holding organizations accountable.
There has been a noticeable rise in charges under the General Duty Clause, which mandates employers to take all reasonable precautions to ensure worker safety. According to safety expert Miedema, this trend shows an increase in prosecutions leveraging the General Duty clause to address various safety issues. This means authorities are using this broad mandate to hold employers accountable for a wider range of safety violations, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to workplace safety.
To learn more about the General Duty Clause and lone worker safety policies, check out our blog: Lone Worker Safety Policy: OSHA Working Alone Laws Guide.
Jody Young, president and CEO of Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS), highlighted the need for new approaches to address current safety challenges. The summit featured sessions on AI in safety, wearable devices, and the human and organizational performance (HOP) approach, all cutting-edge topics in workplace safety.
A key panel, moderated by Young, included experienced health and safety leaders who have implemented innovative strategies in their sectors. This panel provided practical insights and showcased successful methods.
Moderated by Jimmy Vassilopoulos, the session included insights from a range of experts. These experts discussed AI's potential to improve safety management and predictive analytics.
AI can transform data into actionable insights, helping predict and prevent safety incidents. This shift from subjective human observations to objective data analysis enhances the accuracy of safety assessments.
AI's ability to handle large data volumes allows it to automate tasks like hazard identification and safety inspections, freeing up professionals for strategic decisions. The integration of AI with wearable technologies and smart robots also improves training and safety protocols.
The panel also highlighted challenges such as biases in AI data, ethical considerations, costs, privacy concerns, and legal implications. They discussed legal implications, noting that not adopting common safety technologies could be seen as unreasonable in court.
Adapting to this changing regulatory environment is going to be essential if you want to avoid fines and legal issues. Safety expert Miedema predicts increasing fines and aggressive enforcement will continue, especially in provinces with higher penalties. Here are some key strategies and best practices that we recommend you follow to keep your lone workers safe and your organization out of legal hot water:
Employers need to regularly review and update safety policies and protocols to ensure they meet current standards. Proactive measures help identify and address risks before they become violations. Follow our guide to lone worker safety policies and understand how to protect your team of remote workers.
Courts now consider previous convictions and patterns of non-compliance when determining penalties. Good records can demonstrate a commitment to safety and potentially reduce penalties.
Develop and maintain thorough safety programs. These should be updated regularly and clearly communicated to all employees to prevent accidents and reduce liability.
Stay current with the latest safety regulations and enforcement trends by participating in industry seminars, reading relevant publications, and consulting with safety experts.
What you probably want to know is how this is going to impact you and your lone workers. Lone workers have unique working conditions, which means they work under tighter safety regulations than most. Here at Aware360, we expect these recent regulatory changes to have a direct impact on lone workers in several ways:
With higher fines and stricter enforcement of safety regulations, employers are more likely to invest in safety measures and technologies to protect lone workers. This includes advanced monitoring systems and emergency response solutions.
The rise in charges under the General Duty clause requires employers to take all reasonable precautions to ensure worker safety. This means employers must implement comprehensive safety plans that address their unique risks, such as regular check-ins, safety apps, and access to emergency support.
Recent regulatory changes highlight the increasing focus on workplace safety. Adopting proactive and comprehensive safety measures is crucial to staying compliant and effectively protecting your employees.
At Aware360, we offer people-centric safety solutions designed to meet these evolving requirements. Our advanced technologies ensure that you can monitor, support, and respond to your lone workers' needs in real-time, reducing risks and enhancing overall safety.
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