WSPS salutes inaugural winner of "Canada's Best Health + Safety Culture Award"

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) congratulates Vancouver Airport Authority for being selected as the first recipient of Canada's Best Health + Safety Culture Award (Gold). The presentation took place at the Canada's Safest Employers (CSE) annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, in Toronto.

Canada's Best Health + Safety Culture Award recognizes organizations with 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. The high quality of submissions received indicates that many Canadian employers are indeed committed to the health and well-being of employees. Winners were selected by a team of senior-level health and safety professionals.

Created by WSPS and Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine and sponsored by Levitt Safety, the award is the top prize within the prestigious lineup of the CSE Awards program. "With this award, we've started our journey together – as a nation which offers us all a safe and healthy place to work, live and play – bringing safety home, one company at a time," says Elizabeth Mills, WSPS President and CEO. "The entire team at the Vancouver Airport Authority, are our first ambassadors to bring us one step closer to this goal."

Vancouver Airport Authority earned top honours for the manner in which health and safety is woven through its culture. Not just "buzz words", health and safety are part of the organization's core values. Employees are encouraged to put their hands up on their very first day of work to identify potential safety issues, and all board, senior management and management meetings start with a safety message – a leadership mindset which filters down and permeates through the organization. "We're extremely honoured to be the inaugural winners of this prestigious award," says Kevin Hong, Vancouver Airport Authority's Manager of Health and Safety. "This win truly affirms our focus and commitment in keeping our own 450 employees and the 28,000 people who work at the airport for other employers safe."

Finalists for the award who also received recognition at the ceremony were Techmation Electric & Controls Limited and Weatherford Canada Partnership.

Launched in 2011, Canada's Safest Employers Awards recognize companies from across Canada for their outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of their workers. For more information on the 2015 winners, please visit safestemployers.com.

Canada's Best Health + Safety Culture Award was developed in part by WSPS through its CEO Health + Safety Leadership Network – a distinguished group of leaders who share a commitment to building sustainable businesses and communities. For more information, please go to ceohsnetwork.ca.

About Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
WSPS is a leader in providing impactful risk management solutions that drive lasting business success for our customers.  WSPS offers unparalleled health & safety expertise, insight and solutions for creating healthy work environments where employees thrive and businesses prosper.

A dynamic $43-million organization servicing 162,000 member firms, WSPS is primarily focused on the agricultural, industrial/manufacturing and service sectors.  A key player in the Ontario occupational health & safety system, WSPS brings together community and business leaders to influence positive change to create a safer and more profitable Ontario.

SOURCE Workplace Safety & Prevention Services

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