When it comes to workplace safety, education is the key. As an organization dedicated to providing both workers' compensation insurance and preventing injuries, we understand the focus should be on the injury that never happens. While we are here to support workers with fair compensation and benefits when incidents occur, we are committed to preventing these incidents from happening in the first place.
And we do this by nurturing a strong safety culture, one that goes beyond policies, checklists and guidelines (although these are important). By educating workers, employers, and stakeholders on the best practices in health and safety, we can create environments where incidents are not just rare but eliminated. The more informed and prepared a workplace is, the safer it will be.
I’m proud of how our province’s workforce has embraced developing and maintaining a safe workplace culture. In 2023, New Brunswick reached a historic low of injury frequency of 1.1, not only the lowest in our history but also the lowest in Canada. Our Health and Safety Index (HSI), a tool that measures the overall health and safety of New Brunswick’s workplaces, saw a positive rate of change of 11.1%, far exceeding our target. This shows us that the work we are doing makes a difference. And I believe education is key to this success.
One of our most vital educational tools is our annual Health and Safety Conference, a proud tradition for 41 years. The conference brings together experts, practitioners, and workers to share knowledge, discuss innovations, and reinforce the critical importance of workplace safety. More than a series of lectures, it’s a platform for engaging with new ideas, understanding emerging risks, and equipping everyone with the tools to foster safer workplaces.
We’re really excited about this year’s program, as I’m sure anyone passionate about workplace health and safety will also be. There’s a diversity of topics, of both general and specific interest. And I’m especially looking forward to our keynote speakers.
Clint Malarchuk, former NHL goalie and mental health advocate, will open the conference. Malarchuk will share his courageous journey from the highs of professional hockey to the depths of mental illness. World-renown and iconic astronaut, Colonel Chris Hadfield, will close our conference. Hadfield will share insights on leadership, innovation, and navigating complexity.
And again this year at the conference, we will recognize the outstanding efforts of health and safety leaders through our Safety Star Awards.
We invite all stakeholders—employers, employees, safety professionals, and policymakers—to join us at this year’s Health and Safety Conference. Together, we can continue to build a safer future, where education is the foundation of injury prevention, and where New Brunswick is the safest place to work.
Visit our website to view the conference program and to register.
Tim Petersen
President and Chief Executive Officer