Conestoga has been recognized among Canada’s safest employers in the public/non-profit sector.
The college was selected as an Excellence Awardee for the 2024 Canada’s Safest Employers Awards honouring outstanding health and safety professionals and companies for their achievements, leadership and innovation.
The annual Canada’s Safest Employers Awards has been recognized as the leading independent awards program in the occupational health and safety profession for 14 years.
The awards team emphasized Conestoga’s dedication to employee well-being. “Your commitment to ensuring the health and safety of your employees is commendable, and this recognition is well-deserved.”
The national recognition for Conestoga’s efforts to foster a healthy, safe community is appreciated, said Kirsty Bradley-McMurtrie, executive director of Campus Safety and Security.
“Conestoga is dedicated to providing a safe campus environment. The well-being of all employees, students and members of the public at college facilities is paramount,” Bradley-McMurtrie said.
Safety & Security is committed to protecting the rights of community members across all campuses and facilities in the eight communities the college serves, ensuring a professional, respectful and safe environment. The department works with the Conestoga community and promotes partnerships with local organizations to enhance personal safety through prevention, education and compliance.
“The college is honoured to be named among the country’s safest employers and the recognition will only strengthen Conestoga’s commitment to creating a campus life where everyone feels protected,” Bradley-McMurtrie said.
Nominations are reviewed by the awards team that selects those that move to the next round, which requires a more detailed submission form and employee perception survey. An independent judging panel of experts assess and vote for winners in each category. Conestoga is among a dozen awardees in the public sector/non-profit employer category.
Winners will be announced at a gala being held in Toronto on October 10.
Steven Nieboer, manager of Campus Safety, said the award nomination shows how implementing a safety management system in work practices translates into a safer college community. Not only does that help to reduce occupational injuries and illnesses, it’s an opportunity at the college to pass on a safety focused mindset to the future workforce through students.
Nieboer thanks all members of the Conestoga community for their commitment to keep the college safe.
“This award nomination represents the shared values and the individual responsibility taken by all Conestoga employees who make our campuses safe places to work and learn. The nomination is not awarded for one specific accomplishment, but instead shows the daily dedication our employees bring to keeping the workplace safe.”