Positive signs
At the time of writing, she had seen positive signs in the attitude of workers.

“We have noticed that some of our international people kind of go ‘Woah! This is different,’” Wilson says. “There’s a lot more emphasis on safety than they are accustomed to, but we are very strong on this. They are aware that we’re serious and they are paying attention.”

The construction phase has required a lot of supervision and guidance, but during the Games WorkSafe BC construction services will keep a low profile.

“In February we don’t want to be doing any proactive inspections of these sites,” says Johnson. “But we do have a responsibility to respond to complaints or, heaven forbid, respond to a fatality.”

The department will again be an important presence after the games, when all temporary structures will have to be dismantled as efficiently and safely as possible.

The Olympic Games celebrate a spirit of competition. For a health and safety program, that can mean having to compete with the games themselves for people’s attention. Setting up an international event on deadline brings time pressures, excitement and other factors that can distract from safe, careful work.

Growth challenges
One big challenge at VANOC has been the growth of the workforce – and the speed at which it grew. 

From planning to construction and eventually to the actual Games, this evolution requires construction workers, installers, riggers, drivers, office workers and a slew of volunteers who must manage the flow of crowds, drive skidoos, move equipment and fulfill various other roles typical at a mountain ski resort.

Every year, VANOC’s workforce doubled in size. In a relatively short time it went from 1,000 to 30,000 staff and volunteers, all of whom had to receive safety training. That’s why management wanted to build a culture as early as possible, so that training became mandatory and automatic for every individual.

Another challenge was that some of those people have worked large events in the past and are new to such rigid requirements.

“They’ll question why,” says Wilson. “They’ll test you. So it’s important for VANOC to stay strong.”

In October 2007, VANOC’s Legacy of Safety was given a North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week award in the Special Project category. Wilson is grateful for the partnership with WorkSafe BC and credits VANOC CEO John Furlong for supporting the concept from the start and helping to generate buy-in at all levels.

Efforts are paying off. Contractors are demanding that other contractors get on board with the program, and Wilson has heard reports that those who refuse to follow safety procedures have been removed from the worksites.

“I see that as a very strong indicator that we’re living up to our standard,” she says.

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Michelle Morra is an award-winning journalist and former COS editor. You may contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Photos: © VANOC/COVAN