Recently, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) unveiled the recipients of its annual Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards in Toronto. These awards spotlight small businesses that exhibit outstanding health and safety practices, prioritizing the well-being of employees and customers.
Among the winners are:
- Gold – Sign FX, Ottawa: Sign FX, which offers full-service signage solutions, developed a new health and safety program and encourages ongoing dialogue among employees.
- Silver – BESI (Building Envelope Systems Installations), Concord (GTA): BESI, operating in the ICI construction sector, improved safety tracking through digitization, enhancing record accuracy.
- Bronze – Tawse Winery, Vineland: Tawse Winery refreshed its health and safety program, creating a culture of accountability.
Launched in 2017, the WSIB’s Small Business Health and Safety Leadership Awards are open to Ontario businesses with fewer than 50 employees. In 2023, 197 businesses vied for recognition.
Winners receive cash prizes to bolster health and safety initiatives: $10,000 for first place, $6,000 for second, and $4,000 for third. Evaluation criteria include safety culture, program implementation, communication, and employee involvement.
Looking ahead, submissions for the 2024 awards will open soon, offering small businesses another opportunity to showcase their commitment to health and safety excellence.