The 2015 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards were presented recently and both headed to the Yorkton region.
The 2015 Safe Employer winner was R.H. Electric of Yorkton, SK.
The two other finalists for the award were Matrix Solutions Inc. of Swift Current and Key Well Servicing Ltd. of Weyburn.
“R.H. Electric was chosen because of its commitment to safety excellence. R.H. Electric believes in active participation in injury prevention by everyone, every day, in every job. At R.H. Electric, hazard identification and elimination is the first step of all tasks,” detailed the WorkSafe Saskatchewan website.
The WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Employer award was founded in 2007 and is given to an employer who shows leadership in health and safety above and beyond the requirements of the industry and legislation.
Jason Hrywkiw, general manager at R.H. Electric said they knew they were a finalist for some time, but being presented the award was still a gratifying moment.
“It proves all the work that goes into developing and making a safety plan work is worth it,” he said.
With nearly 40-employees on varying worksites, Hrywkiw said their company takes safety pretty seriously.
“We decided not just to do the bare minimum (as laid out in legislation), and really run with it and be a role model in terms of safety,” he said.
And the effort has paid off in terms beyond the award.
“We’re proud that our safety program is working,” said Hrywkiw. “… Everyone is going home safe at the end of the day. The morale is there because they’re going home safe.”
The second award to come to the region was the 2015 WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Worker Award.
The winner was Lorna Hamilton, Continuing Care Assistant, Kelvindell Lodge, Kelsey Trail Health Region, Kelvington, SK.
The other finalists for the award were Lisa Reddekopp, Customer Service Representative, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming, and Paul Price, Youth Facility Worker, North Battleford Youth Centre.
“Hamilton was nominated by her co-workers for being a persistent advocate for safety. In the application, they said Hamilton takes it upon herself to research the latest information in injury prevention and health care. Her co-workers often go to her as a resource.
“Safety just seems to be in her blood,” noted the website.
The WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Worker award is given to a worker who goes beyond the expectations of their position to help create a safer workplace for others. It has been presented annually since 2006.
Workplace peers and colleagues nominate the recipients of these awards.
Two committees representing WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, the Saskatchewan Safety Council and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers then adjudicate the nominations.
You can view a complete list of committee members and past winners at worksafesask.ca/safe-worker andworksafesask.ca/safe-employer.
Nomination forms for the 2016 awards are now available at worksafesask.ca/resources/awards.
WorkSafe Saskatchewan is a partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
