ORAC is pleased to sponsor a unique approach to reducing injury and illness in the workplace.

The Safety Groups Program began as a trial program in 2000 and was approved as an ongoing program of the WSIB in July 2002.

Safety Groups is designed to recognize businesses that make prevention a daily habit by building it into their management systems. Firms in a group may receive rebates on their WSIB premiums if they participate fully in the program and can show that they have made injury and illness prevention an integral part of their businesses. The more firms in a group that succeed in integrating the prevention elements into their businesses, the larger the rebate the group as a whole receives. There is no penalty if the group does not succeed. A firm's individual experience rating is not affected by its participation in a safety group.

Each safety group is organized and administered by a WSIB approved sponsor. The WSIB supports each safety group by providing information, facilitation and links to resources; primarily through its Prevention and Operations Divisions and the Health and Safety Associations (HSAS).

What Must Firms Do For Safety Groups?

To participate in Safety Groups, a firm is required to:

• Have the owner or senior management personally commit to participating in the program.

• Complete the Safety Groups application form and submit it to their sponsor.

• Create and nurture a safety culture in the workplace.

• Be a Schedule 1 firm paying premiums to the WSIB

• Be in good standing with the WSIB without charges or convictions under the Workplace Safety & Insurance Act. Schedule 1 and non-construction employers are encouraged to check this by completing the Compliance Audit For Employers, which can be found on the WSIB website, www.wsib.on.ca

• Be committed to participating for at least one full calendar year.

• Be in only one safety group at a time.Not be a member of the Safe Communities Incentive Program (SCIP).

• Complete all of the requirements of the Safety Groups Program:

- Participate in at least three safety group meetings throughout the year. The person attending should be a senior manager or owner of the firm. Special meetings/conferences may be offered to all groups and attendance credits provided.-Complete the Initial Workplace Assessment at the start of the program and then complete a Workplace Assessment (end of year) annually.-Develop an Action Plan to implement at least 5 health and safety program elements.-Implement the 5 Steps for Managing Health & Safety for each of the five elements on the Action Plan.

- Keep sponsor informed of progress. Ask for help when needed.

• Submit Year-End Reports verifying what was completed for each health and safety program element in their Action Plan.

• If selected, participate in spot check or progress visit.

• Participate in sharing of the group rebate. Firms must complete all five elements to share in the maximum amount of the rebate. Firms completing only three or four elements will affect the group's overall score and reduce the rebate accordingly. To gain any financial incentive, firms must complete at least three elements and have a minimum 60% achievement score.

• Document all activities related to implementation of the health and safety program elements.

For further information, or to join the Safety Groups Program, contact the ORAC office. IT'S FREE.