What is the Safety Group Program?

The Safety Group Program rewards firms that incorporate prevention measures into their daily business. The key idea behind the program is that a well-integrated workplace health and safety program makes good business sense. Firms from similar or different businesses volunteer to form a group with a collective purpose: to learn from each others experience in the implementation and continuous improvement of injury and illness prevention programs.

How does the Safety Group Program Work?

At the beginning of each year, your firm selects five safety elements that it will initiate or improve upon from the Safety Group's Achievement List provided by the WSIB.

Your firm will learn how to implement these initiatives by attending meetings, sharing ideas and pooling resources with other firms in the 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. In each subsequent year, a firm is required to maintain their elements from the previous year and pick five new elements.

Can my company join a Safety Group?

To participate in the Safety Group Program, your firm must:

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

Join the EAC/CME SAFETY GROUP and you'll receive:

Training: The fulfillment of the WSIB Safety Group requirements along with a variety of topics such as Return to Work, Claims Management, Workplace Violence, Machine Guarding etc.

Access to Professionals: Support and guidance from a variety of sources such as experts from the fields of Health and Safety including the WSIB, Ministry of Labour, Office of the Employer Adviser, EAC, etc.

Reduction in lost time injury frequency and severity rates: The 2008 EAC CME Multi-Sector Safety Group realized a 21% reduction in frequency and a 18% reduction in severity.

On-site training: In addition to the training offered at each meeting, we can organize specialized training to assist you in completing your elements.

EAC and CME Resources: Discounts for EAC and CME conferences and workshops held across the province, publications and up-to-date information.

Networking Opportunities: In person at group meetings or by email with participants across Ontario to share best practices, policies and procedures, experiences and the ability to mentor other firms. EAC also maintains a web page exclusively for the Safety Group that includes meeting dates and locations, and handouts.

Additional WSIB Rebate: Since 2000, our groups have shared in rebates totalling over $14,700,026.00!

HOW EAC/CME Contributes to the Success of the Safety group

The Employers' Advocacy Council (EAC) was one of the original nine sponsors of the program when it began in 2000. We were the first multi-sectoral Safety Group in Ontario. We bring ten years of experience coordinating a Safety Group and will provide:

• New Member Orientation
• A Senior Management Conference
• Coordination of four (4) regional meetings throughout the year at various
  sites across Ontario
• The required training and information at all group meetings
• Assistance with all documentation required by WSIB Element review at
  each group meeting

Henry Decloe, Safety Group Specialist

Henry has over 25 years experience in industry, with organizations of all sizes, both unionized and nonunionized, from family run to large international companies. As a Health and Safety Coordinator, some of his hands-on experience includes helping organizations handle the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board claims, the Ministry of Labour visits, employee training and preventative measures. Henry has helped implement health and safety management systems and has represented and coached companies in the Safety Group program for the past six years.

Learn More About WSIB Safety Group

Materials for download

2010 Safety Groups Brochure

2010 Firm Application Form

For more information please contact:

Maria Daginis

Telephone: 519.748.5771
Email: maria@EACforEmployers.org

Henry Decloe

Telephone: 905.873.1580
Email: henry@EACforEmployers.org