Firefighter cancer remains second leading cause of work-related occupational disease deaths in Sask. WorkSafe Sask. announces new video training series to help support the prevention of firefighter cancer Regina, Sask., Jan. 31, 2022 – Firefighter cancer is the second leading cause of work-related occupational disease deaths in Saskatchewan. From 2010 to 2018, 23 per cent of work-related occupational disease fatalities in Saskatchewan were from firefighter cancers and in 2020, five firefighters lost their lives to cancer. To help address this, WorkSafe Saskatchewan (the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety) announced a new video resource series to help firefighters better protect themselves from incidents and exposures on the job. “Improving firefighter cancer prevention is one of the top priorities in WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s Fatalities and Serious Injuries Strategy, launched in 2019. As part of the strategy, we worked with industry experts to [...]

Saskatchewan Association for Safe Workplaces in Health (SASWH) signs new funding agreement with the WCB New funding agreement strengthens partnership with the WCB Regina, Sask., June 7, 2021 – The Saskatchewan Association for Safe Workplaces in Health (SASWH) is the latest of seven provincial safety associations to sign a new funding agreement with the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). This agreement works to strengthen the WCB’s partnership and close working relationship with each safety association as we all work together to create safer workplaces in Saskatchewan. “The WCB has long-standing close ties with our safety associations, including SASWH, to help work toward creating safer workplaces in our province through awareness, training and other injury prevention initiatives,” says Kevin Mooney, vice-president of prevention and employer services. “Our partnerships with safety associations are key to our workplace safety efforts across the province. These close partnerships help us support the safety and prevention [...]

WorkSafe Saskatchewan announces 2021 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Award winners Regina, Sask., May 31, 2021 – On May 25, 2021, WorkSafe Saskatchewan, the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, announced the winners of the 2021 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Awards. Each year, WorkSafe Saskatchewan presents the Safe Worker Award to a worker who goes beyond the expectations of their position to help create a safer workplace. This award aims to recognize workers that model innovative and successful safety practices in their workplace. In many situations, the winners are not in formal leadership roles, but have taken the opportunity to become safety leaders in their workplace. The 2021 WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Worker Award winner is Audrey MacMurchy, Kingston Midstream Limited, Estevan, Sask. The Safe Employer Award is presented to a best practice employer who builds safety into every [...]

Energy Safety Canada signs new safety funding agreement with the WCB Regina, Sask., May 20, 2021 – Energy Safety Canada is among the first of seven provincial safety associations to sign the new funding agreement with the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB). This agreement strengthens the partnership and the WCB’s close ties with each safety association as together we work to create safer workplaces in the province. “The WCB has a long-standing partnership with our safety associations, such as Energy Safety Canada, to help address injury prevention in their sector through education, training and other prevention initiatives,” says Kevin Mooney, vice-president of prevention and employer services. “These close partnerships are vital to our provincial efforts and it is through these close working relationships that we can support the safety and prevention interests of all employers represented in the industry.” The Saskatchewan WCB currently funds seven industry-based safety associations. Each [...]

WorkSafe Saskatchewan launches online psychological resource centre for Saskatchewan employers and workers Regina, Sask., April 14, 2021 – In the past five years, psychological health claims have been on the rise across the province. To address these issues in the province, WorkSafe Saskatchewan (the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety) has launched a comprehensive online psychological health and safety resource centre. The centre provides employers and workers with resources to help develop psychologically healthy and safe workplaces. “We’re very excited to launch the Psychological Health and Safety Resource Centre in partnership with Dr. Joti Samra,” said Kevin Mooney, the WCB’s vice-president of prevention and employer services. “Over the past several years, we’ve seen Saskatchewan workplaces dealing with unique psychological health and safety challenges. That reinforces the importance of providing Saskatchewan employers and workers with the tools they [...]

Asbestos kills. It's best to test. WorkSafe Saskatchewan offers tips for homeowners and contractors to avoid asbestos exposure. Regina, Sask., Nov. 19, 2020 – WorkSafe Saskatchewan has released a number of tips for homeowners and contractors to stay safe and aware of the potential for asbestos in their home before starting construction and renovation projects. Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of work-related deaths in Saskatchewan. It is dangerous to construction workers and do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners alike. Asbestos has been banned in Canada since Dec. 30, 2018. However, asbestos-containing materials were common building products in homes built before 1990. Although asbestos-containing products are generally safe when left undisturbed, they become brittle over time and can crumble. The popularity of DIY projects has heightened the likelihood of asbestos exposure for homeowners. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause chronic, irreversible and life-threatening lung diseases. These diseases, which [...]

Workers, employers hear from experts on workplace mental health WorkSafe Sask. hosts second annual psychological health and safety learning event Regina, Sask., Dec. 3, 2019 – In response to the increase in job-related mental health claims in Saskatchewan, WorkSafe Saskatchewan – the partnership between the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety – is working to provide resources for workers and employers on psychological health and safety. That is why WorkSafe is hosting the second annual Psychological Health and Safety Workshop, taking place today at the Delta Hotel in Regina. Close to 350 senior leaders, disability and human resource managers from across the province will hear from leading Canadian industry and academic experts at the one-day learning event. “Psychological claims still only represent a small percentage (1.2 per cent) of all the work-related claims submitted to the WCB,” said Annette Goski, the WCB’s [...]

Safe Saskatchewan continued its momentum towards changing Saskatchewan’s safety culture today as the organization announced the addition of 51 business, government and community leaders to the Saskatchewan Health and Safety Leadership Charter. “For decades, Saskatchewan has suffered the toll of an epidemic of preventable injury but, year after year, we are seeing that change for the better. Last year, we celebrated one of the largest ever Charter events. This year, we have seen that progress continue through yet another successful event” said Gord Moker, CEO of Safe Saskatchewan. Safe Saskatchewan is a registered not-for-profit organization whose vision is an injury-free Saskatchewan. In 2010, Safe Saskatchewan and WorkSafe Saskatchewan launched the Saskatchewan Health & Safety Leadership Charter, aimed at creating a cultural shift among community leaders, and positioning injury prevention as a core value. Signatories participate in a health and safety leadership learning community that shares information and best practices. As [...]