What's New

TO Environmental, Health and Safety Committee

Background
At the annual convention in September of 2002, the CAED Board of Directors establishes the creation of an industry focused Environment, Health & Safety committee.

EHS Mandate

• To promote best practices in Environment, Health & Safety as well as their development within the Canadian Equipment Distributors industry.
• To influence the development and amendment of government policies and regulations through active participation in consultative processes.
• To recognize achievements by member companies and individuals on issues affecting the Environment, Health & Safety within the Canadian Equipment Distributors industry.
• To provide a forum for discussion, information exchange, cooperation and coordination of resources on matters related to Environment, Health & Safety.
• To demonstrate the industry’s commitment to Environment, Health & Safety.

Why does the CAED need an EHS Committee?

1. Injury costs and the frequency of injuries are increasing across Canada

• Alberta WCB rates have increased steadily over the past 5 years. In 2002, the average WCB rate in Alberta increased by 30% over 2001. Our industry rate increased by 40% that year. In 2003, our industry rate has increased another 16% over 2002.
• In Alberta, over the 5-year period ending in 2001, the total number of injuries in the workplace has increased by 30%. This exceeded the growth of the Alberta workforce by 5%.

2. EHS Regulatory requirements are getting more stringent

In December of 2002, the Alberta Government passed Bill 37. This resulted in some significant changes to the Alberta Occupational Health & Safety Act. Some highlights are:

• Maximum fines increased from $150,000 to $500,000.
• The court can order alternative penalties.
• On the spot administrative fines are now possible.
• The names of the best/worst safety performers can now be made public.

3. Duplicating efforts trying to solve the same EHS problems

In our efforts to respond to the needs of our employees, customers and regulators, we can spend a significant amount of time attempting to resolve EHS issues that have been solved in another workplace.

I must stress; this is not a competitive advantage. If workplace injuries are prevented in one company, we all reap the benefits of a healthier workplace and reduced WCB premiums.

4. Industry is not represented at the EHS table.

When governments decide to make changes to legislation, they take a considerable amount of time to consider how it will impact the various industries.

In the event of prosecution under Environment, Health & Safety law, crown and defence lawyers alike look to standards and norms that have been established by the industry.

Unlike the industries we provide services to, we have not established heavy equipment industry standards. It could be said that as an industry, we have not met the test of due diligence.

5. No industry EHS benchmarks or formal best practices.

It has been said that what gets measured and rewarded, gets done. A key success factor in reducing injuries in many industries has been the establishment of industry wide benchmarks for EHS. Typical measures include:

• Injury Frequency Rates
• Vehicle Incident Rates
• Environment, Health & Safety Program Standards
• Independent Evaluation of Programs
• EHS Training Standards
• Industry recognized and approved safe work practices

How will my company benefit from this committee?

Depending on your involvement and level of commitment, the benefits are:

• Increased Environment, Health & Safety awareness
• Reduced EHS liability
• Reduction in workplace injuries
• Improved workplace efficiencies – improve your bottom line
• Perceived as a leader by customers
• Perceived as a proactive and caring organization by employees
• Improved morale

Current companies represented on the committee

• Hammer Equipment Sales Limited
• Wajax Limited
• Kramer Ltd.
• Hewitt Equipment Ltd.
• Morneau Sobeco
• Strongco Inc.
• Toromont Industries Ltd.
• Phoenix Piston Hydraulics Inc.
• Finning International Ltd.
• CAED