Ontario’s Journey Towards a Safe Workplace

A safe workplace is something that all workers hope for, but unfortunately it is not always a reality.

Whether it’s through their hiring practices, training programs, or workplace safety standards, employers should be ensuring a safe work environment. Despite this demand, 227 Ontario workers died on the job in 2017 alone¹. In response to the startling number of workplace related deaths, injuries, or illnesses, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has commemorated these affected workers and families by establishing the National Day of Mourning.² Since 1984, this event has taken place on April 28².

How Do We Remember in Ontario?

In preparation for, and on the day of, April 28 the WSIB created several platforms for remembrance and demonstrations dedicated to those who have passed, or been victim to injury or illness. In the city of Toronto, an empty streetcar painted black “was driven through the city streets…to draw attention to the many workers who never make the commute home”³. This touching display brought workplace safety to the attention of many Torontonians and started an important conversation. For those who have been personally touched by the negative effects of an unsafe work environment, the WSIB created an online forum on a website dedicated to the National Day of Mourning to exchange stories.

If you would like to share your story or read the stories of others, visit WSIB’s National Day of Mourning website here.

Creating a Safe Workplace

Between 2016 and 2017, the number of workplace fatalities increased by 19³. It is shocking that even with various resources available to increase safety within the workplace, workers are still suffering. According to the Ontario Ministry of Labour, the goal of the National Day of Mourning is the make sure that workplace deaths never happen again⁴. As an employer, how can you take a part in this commitment to workplace safety? One way is through your hiring process.

In order to ensure that they are hiring workers who are truly dedicated to safety, many hiring teams are relying on the Predictive Index Behavioural Assessment™. According to Predictive Success Managing Principal Rob Friday in this trucknews.com article, “Predictive Index gives managers another flashlight into what makes the person tick… when you add science and objective data, you have another level of scrutiny to help you make your decision to hire”⁵. By using behavioural profiles, the Predictive Index Behavioural Assessment™ is able to show employers what a safe worker in their respective industry would look like. With this technology, hiring teams are able to make a commitment to safety by hiring employees who match the ideal safety profile.

If you are interested in learning more about the Predictive Index Behavioural Assessment™ click here, or to view how all our workforce analytics can help you make better people decisions, click here.