Well as the old dog learns a new trick, here we go.

As 2009 wraps up the EMC Safety Group concludes yet another very successful year, showing significant improvements on all fronts. Probably most significant is the $1.93 million dollars the group received from WSIB for the successful completion of the 2008 program. This money goes directly to our membership and is a result of all of the hard work put in by our members. The programs and dedication demonstrated by our members has once again been rewarded, putting us in good standing for the start of the 2010 Safety Group.

The EMC safety group members also saw a significant decrease in the number of accidents and the severity of the injury that did occur.  Our membership saw a 12% decrease in their accident frequency and a 6.68% decrease in their severity. In this tough economy and with the status of manufacturing in Ontario those are truly impressive statistics. Again this is testament to the professionals assigned to the programs, and both management and employee dedication to health and safety.

As for the safety group itself we took significant strides forward this year. EMC was able to hold over 60 meetings across the province, in 20 different communities. With over 20 guest speakers and 218 employers fully engaged sharing and stealing best practices. When our employers were called for validation audits we scored an average of 86%, which was a 12% improvement form 2007. It still amazes me every time I walk into employers seeing the dedication and skill in which programs are developed and the high quality of work being completed by each of our members. The EMC Safety Group members have developed some of the strongest Safety Programs in Ontario, and probably North America.

The EMC Safety Group continues to build for the future and look at improving our service model for our growing membership.EMC has added Laura Rourke to the Safety Group team as a EHS Mentor, bringing extensive experience in Health Safety and Environmental. We are also introducing Evaluation tools, Pre Audit evaluations, streamlined member needs help, Health and Safety mentoring program,   Web2.0, Health and Safety Blogs, Full access to the EMC Webpage and its leading edge. We are just scratching the surface of our potential of the safety group and its members; I look forward to what the future brings.

It is a true privilege for me to be part of such a dynamic group. The members of the safety group are true professionals with passion and commitment like none other. The 40+ new members joining the group are going to be dazzled by the existing members. I am looking forward to jumping in with both feet in January.

Have a great winter break, be safe, enjoy your family and I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.