Vancouver Airport Authority Wins Top National Prize for Health & Safety Culture

Canadian Occupational Safety honours YVR's health and safety programming with two awards

RICHMOND, BC, Oct. 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Vancouver Airport Authority's commitment to employee health and safety was recognized with two prestigious national awards: Canada's Best Health & Safety Culture award and the Gold award in the Transportation category of Canada's Safest Employers for 2015.

Vancouver Airport Authority is the operator of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Canada's second-busiest airport and gateway hub linking the Americas to Asia. A team of 452 employees help deliver the safe operation of the busy international airport, one that is expected to serve a record 20 million passengers by the end of 2015. From maintenance and airfield shift workers to office-based 9-to-5 employees, the Airport Authority's occupational mix demands a robust and varied safety program.

"Safety is central to everything we do. It's a core value, a decision–making tool and at the heart of our license to operate," said Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "To be recognized as Canada's strongest health and safety culture in addition to being Canada's safest transportation employer is a tremendous testament to the power of a positive, safety-centred culture that we work hard to improve year after year. I'm proud to say that in 2014, we had zero health and safety non-compliances."

Announced at a gala event in Toronto, Ontario on October 28 and published in the November edition of Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine, Canada's Safest Employers Awards is an annual recognition program for Canadian companies that deliver exemplary employee health and safety initiatives and accomplishments.

Canadian Occupational Safety magazine cited several key elements of the Airport Authority's health and safety program for its wins, including its Presidents Award for Safety Excellence (PASE) program, in which departments good-naturedly compete to create innovative safety solutions; a comprehensive construction safety management program that exceeds industry best practices; and regular internal campaigns that focus on pertinent occupational health and safety topics such as mental health awareness, tool safety and work station ergonomics. 

"We are thrilled to honour Vancouver Airport Authority with Canada's Best Health and Safety Culture award," said Amanda Silliker, Editor of Canadian Occupational Safety magazine. "YVR showcased the strongest health and safety culture in the country — a culture that not only permeates the workplace, but extends into the employer's community, networks and areas of influence to make health and safety a priority for all."

About the Awards
Launched in 2011, Canada's Safest Employers Awards recognize companies from all across Canada with outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of their workers.

The award comprises 10 industry-specific categories, ranging from hospitality to mining and natural resources. Companies are judged on a wide range of occupational health and safety elements, including employee training, OHS management systems, incident investigation, emergency preparedness and innovative health and safety initiatives.

About Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine
Canadian Occupational Safety magazine is the premier publication on occupational health and safety in Canada. In each issue of COS, readers get a whole new mix of practical, lively, and editorially sound articles to help them in their work as health and safety professionals. The magazine covers a wide range of topics, from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.

About Vancouver Airport Authority
Vancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that manages Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served more than 19 million passengers in 2014. Fifty-four airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to more than 111 non-stop destinations worldwide. YVR was voted Best Airport in North America for the sixth consecutive year, and Best Airport in the World for its size category of 10-20 million passengers, in the 2015 Skytrax World Airport Awards. Vancouver Airport Authority is a dedicated community partner and in 2014 donated more than $900,000 to local organizations. We are committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor. For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

SOURCE Vancouver Airport Authority

YVR Media Relations, Direct: 604.880.9815, Email: [email protected], Twitter: @yvrairport