Staffing industry earns $1.3 million rebate for enhancing workplace safety with WSIB Program

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - The Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services (ACSESS) is proud to announce its Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) Safety Group significantly reduced the frequency and severity of workplace injuries in 2017. For these results, its 90 corporate members voluntarily participating in the WSIB program won a $1.3 million rebate.

"Unlike fly-by-night temp agencies who don't share our values, ensuring the safety of those we serve is a top priority for ACSESS members. That's why we've sponsored the WSIB program since 2001. Our members have strong safety programs in place to support their candidates and clients," says Mary McIninch, executive director, ACSESS. "Joining the WSIB program demonstrates another level of commitment toward excellence in safety practices. It provides unparalleled opportunities for networking and mutual support to ensure the group's success."

Participating members gain tools, share best practices between agencies of all sizes in similar industries, and pool resources to develop and enhance their health and safety programs. Each member selects five safety elements to initiate or improve upon from the WSIB's "achievement list," which includes: hazard recognition and assessment; organization; and leadership.  To ensure compliance with industry standards, members attend quarterly meetings and leadership workshops.

As a sponsor, ACSESS recruits and oversees member companies' participation, liaises with health and safety organizations, measures progress and regularly reports back to the WSIB. 

Safety group members must conduct a voluntary annual validation audit of their health and safety elements and the WSIB chooses a random sampling to audit.  Almost all ACSESS member firms achieved scores of 100 per cent in 2017 audits.

"Everyone, starting with our Canadian Leadership team, is committed to continually raising the bar to keep our employees and candidates safe," says Christine Beaudry, director, safety & risk management of Randstad Canada. "Our health & safety managers attend prospect sales calls to inspect a prospective client's site to ensure it meets our standards. If gaps, and or improvements, are identified, we partner with the client on preventative measures to eliminate hazards before our candidate starts. We often walk away from business that doesn't match our safety standards. This is how we, and those working with us, do business at Randstad -- including our clients – who often choose to work with us because of our stellar safety record."

Randstad's health & safety manager, Lauranna Ji, even speaks to high school students about workplace safety. She explains the employer's responsibility and the worker's rights, including: the right to refuse work and raise concerns. "Young people may hesitate to speak up for fear of losing their job. They need to know it's their right to be safe," says Ji.

For the past 15 years, Express Employment Professionals has participated in the WSIB program. "The safety group complements the rigorous requirements our Canadian franchisees must meet," says Yvonne Vernon, Express's regional claims manager and health & safety co-ordinator. "We always pass our annual WSIB validation audit and the franchisor audits each of our 38 Canadian offices. All of our candidates or associates go through a two to three-hour, 10-step screening and protection process to ensure they're thoroughly informed before they enter the client's site.  The many checks and balances of our ISO Certified franchise process, the safety group's steps and provincial legislation combine to keep everyone safe."

More details on the WSIB's program are located here.

About ACSESS
As the national voice of the recruiting, employment and staffing services industry, the Association of Canadian Search, Employment & Staffing Services (ACSESS) leads Canada to work. ACSESS advances best practices and ethical standards for the $15 billion staffing industry through advocacy, government relations, professional development, resources and research. Its members provide key services to businesses and offer a broad range of career coaching, planning and employment opportunities to employees. For more information, visit: www.acsess.org

SOURCE ACSESS - Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services

Mary McIninch, B.A, LL.B (Membre du Barreau du Quebec) | [email protected], Executive Director, Government Relations/Directrice Générale, Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services, Association Nationale des Entreprises en Recrutement et Placement de Personnel, 2233 Argentia Road, Suite 100, Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2X7, T 905-826-6869 | Toll free 888-232-4962, acsess.org

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www.acsess.org