When it comes to workplace injury or death, there is no other acceptable number but zero, says Steve Mahoney, chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Mahoney recently spoke to COS about the WSIB’s goal to ultimately eradicate incidents of workplace injuries and deaths, and the controversial WSIB rebate program.

As the spring season gets underway, many workers are gearing up for some outdoor work left undone during the cold, winter months. Tree trimmers, hydro workers, roof installers, construction staff and others are being cautioned to look up, look back and watch out for the hazards that be.

Zero may be the worst possible mark in the academic realm, but in the workplace, it’s exactly what safety professionals are aiming for.
 
The Electrical and Safety Utilities Association (EUSA) has been working with its member companies towards a similar goal. Launched in 2004, ZeroQuest was established as a tool for instituting an integrated health and safety system in the workplace, envisioned to lead the industry towards its target of zero lost time injuries by 2011.