Canadian Approach to Improve Health & Safety In SME’s

Maureen Shaw, President and CEOIndustrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA)

Rome, ItalyMay 9, 2008

“New Strategies in Italy for Safety and Health at Work and the International Contribution of the ISSA-Section

Machine and System Safety”

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 2

IAPA Vision

A world where risks are controlled because everyone believes suffering

and loss are morally, socially, and economically unacceptable.

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 3

Small Firms vs. Large Firms

Source: 2007 EIW Data as of March, 2008

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

% of Firms % of Employees LTIFSmall Firms (less than 100 employees)

Large Firms (100 + employees)

2.0

1.6

1.2

0.4

LTIF0.8

0

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 4

Demographic Data – IAPA Member Firms

Firm Size # of Firms As a % # of Employees As a %

Less than 6 FTE 26,200 58% 46,900 3%

6 to 19 FTE 9,650 21% 105,000 7%

20 to 99 FTE 6,600 15% 286,000 20%

100 or more FTE 2,550 6% 990,000 69%

Source: 2007 - EIW Data as of March 2008

FTE: Full Time Equivalent

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 5

Lost Time Injury Frequency Data- IAPA Member Firms

Firm Size Total LTIs (2007)

LTIF (2007) LTIF (2005 to 2007)

Less than 6 FTE 736 1.57 1.61

6 to 19 FTE 1,619 1.55 1.74

20 to 99 FTE 5,034 1.76 2.00

100 or more FTE 13,047 1.32 1.57

Source: EIW Data as of March 2008

FTE: Full Time Equivalent

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 6

Selected Ontario Occupational Health & Safety Legislative Requirements

All employers must ensure compliance with OHSA, provide “competent” supervision, take all precautions reasonable and register with WSIB

Employers with 6 or more workers must have a OHS policy and program

Employers with 6 to 19 workers must have a worker Health and Safety Representative to inspect the workplace and make recommendations

Employers with 20 or more workers must have a Joint Health and Safety Committee

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 7

CFIB Survey

Management Coaching Personal Protective Equipment Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

(WHMIS). Information related to the safe use of hazardous substances

Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention Safe operation and guarding of machinery

May 2002 Canadian Federation of Small Business (CFIB) survey of 2,146 respondents expressed the following top 5 training requirements as it relates of OH&S:

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 8

SME Needs

SME are asking a “one stop shopping” information resource

Resources and information should be user friendly in nature

More self directed learning and service interventions Specific job / hazard information and resources

Based on feedback obtained from SME employers through IAPA and other sources, the following represents the major needs expressed by these employers:

OH&S

SmallBusiness

OH&Sin my

workplace • Programs• Rewards

“You told me the roadblocks, how tall the hill is and how to get around or remove some roadblocks.You’ve pointed me in the right direction, and promised to catch me if I fall or stumble.But falling or stumbling costs me money and time – it can even kill me…

But what I really want is you to hold my hand and walk with me, at least part way up the hill…

So – what do I want?Remember I am a child – in the difficult teenage yearsBe patient and Parent me well!”

Remarks by a participant at Committing to Action: A Roundtable to address health &

safetyin small business - 1990

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 10

The IAPA has successfully worked together with small business partners to develop and launch an online small business centre in 2005 to provide an easier access to OHS information.

In addition, in March 2007 the website introduced the launch of a small business safety calculator, re-adapted from the original “WorkSafe BC” program. The calculator allows for the user to input real life business loss scenarios that will help identify injury / illness costs both direct and indirect.

Improve Health & Safety in SME’s

Canadian Approach to Improve H&S in SME’sRome, ItalyMay 9, 2008Maureen C. Shaw, IAPA 11

For Information on IAPA’s Small Business Centre, Small Business Safety

Calculator, and for free downloads of the Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)

Prevention Guidelines and Toolkitwww.iapa.ca

IAPA Website