Original version : Safety Groups Program




The safety groups program

Safety groups and their benefits
Improving workplace safety is easier if you can learn from the experience of other firms’ and share their knowledge. The Safety Groups program will provide you with a network of firms who, like you, have the common goal of reducing injuries and illnesses.

Interested in joining safety groups?

• List of safety groups you can join.
• Safety Groups Program Brochure (226k, pdf)
• Safety Groups Program Firm Application Form (600k, pdf)

Benefits of joining a safety group:

• Access to health and safety resources and best practices from other participants
• Help with developing and managing effective health and safety programs
• Healthy and stable workforce
• Increased productivity
• Increased employee morale

Along with improving workplace safety, you can reduce your WSIB premiums and earn financial rebates.

Look at the success of program participants: 2008 rebates

Working together and sharing their experience and knowledge, these Safety Group members have collectively improved their workplace health and safety.

How the program works
Each safety group has a sponsor that leads and coordinates the group. At the beginning of each year, the group makes a list of elements to target. Your firm selects five elements that will improve your health and safety performance.
Your firm will learn how to implement these elements at meetings where you share ideas and pool resources with other firms in your safety group. At the end of the year, your group can receive a rebate based on the entire group’s success in implementing their selected safety elements.
Resources

• Safety Groups Action Plan (193k, pdf)
• Employers' Guidelines (2.2mb, pdf)
• The Sponsor’s Guidelines (185k, pdf)

Program Eligibility
To participate in the Safety Groups Program, your firm must:

• Be a Schedule 1 firm
• Be in good standing with the WSIB
• Be committed to participating for a least one full calendar year
• Have commitment from the owner or senior management to participate in the program
• Not be a member of the Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP)
• Participate in only one safety group at a time

Contact
You can contact the Prevention Division at: 1-800-663-6639 or 416-344-1016 or send an email to prevention@wsib.on.ca or contact the Safety Groups sponsor.









The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
200 Front Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 3J1
Phone: (416) 344-1000
Toll free: 1-800-387-5540
Ontario Toll free: 1-800-387-0750
TTY: 1-800-387-0050
Web site: www.wsib.on.ca