Members recognized for keeping our workplaces safe

SGEU wishes to congratulate member, Lorna Hamilton upon receiving the 2015 Safe Worker and Safe Employer Award from WorkSafe Saskatchewan. Hamilton is a continuing care assistant at the Kelvindell Lodge in Kelvington.

Hamilton was nominated by her co-workers for being a persistent advocate for safety. Her co- workers say Hamilton takes it upon herself to research the latest information in injury prevention and health care. They say they often go to her as a safety resource.

“Safety just seems to be in her blood,” says one of Hamilton’s co-workers.

The WorkSafe Saskatchewan Safe Worker award is given to a worker who goes beyond the expectations of their position to help create a safer workplace for others. It has been presented annually since 2006.

The two finalists for the 2015 Safe Worker Award are also SGEU members, Lisa Reddekopp, customer service representative, Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming, and Paul Price, youth facility worker, North Battleford Youth Centre.

Congratulations Lorna, Lisa, Paul and all our members who continually demonstrate a commitment to keeping our workplaces safe.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan is a partnership between the Workers’ Compensation Board and the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety designed to address the province’s safety record on jobsites.

Saskatchewan has the second worst workplace injury rate in Canada. WorkSafe Saskatchewan developed its Mission: Zero program as a call to action and a goal for employers and companies to achieve zero workplace injuries. The symbol for Mission: Zero is a stop-sign red button.

Saskatchewan’s off-the-job injury statistics are worse than its work injury statistics. In 2009, Safe Saskatchewan adopted Mission Zero, the symbol and its ambitious goal, as the prevention goal for all injuries – on and off the job.

It has since been adopted as the symbol for injury prevention and goal for over 350 companies and organizations in Saskatchewan through the Health and Safety Leadership Charter.

To learn more about Mission: Zero, preventing injuries away from work, and the Health and Safety Leadership Charter, visit www.safesask.com.