The inaugural Skilled Trades Safety Fair was hosted by the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance (CISWP) at Conestoga, welcoming seasoned professionals and those just starting out in the industry to learn more about safety practices in the skilled trades from industry partners.
Melanie Kowalski-Fleming speaks about her advocacy with Threads of Life, a Canadian charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace tragedy.
The fair held October 15 at the Conestoga Skilled Trades Campus in Cambridge included the official launch of CISWP’s two new state-of-the-art research labs that will give the institute’s researchers the ability to collect precise measurements of workers’ performance with a focus on injury prevention.
The vendor area included nearly 50 exhibitors and visitors were also invited to tour the campus, including seeing the workshops where skilled trades students practise hands-on skills, and the CISWP labs to see a demonstration of the technology being used for the institute’s applied research.
Kevin Flynn, former Ontario Minister of Labour and chair of the CISWP advisory committee, talked about the unique and innovative research underway at CISWP to prioritize safety in the province’s workplaces.
“This is something very, very special,” Flynn told the audience. “I’ve never seen an institute like this that is dedicated the way that this is to occupational health and safety and performance as well.”
A new four-year partnership between CISWP and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to support research advancing health and safety in Ontario and creating safer workplaces was also announced by Janine Dyck, chief employer services officer at WSIB.
The partnership will study job exposures in the construction and paramedic sectors to understand how they contribute to workplace injury and illness risk, as well as help businesses solve accommodation challenges and reduce risks to people’s well-being. Innovative technology will also be used to advance the development of appropriately fitting and inclusively designed personal protective equipment and tools to minimize the risk of injuries and illnesses.
“There’s so much innovation happening here, so much enthusiasm and such incredible work,” Dyck said. “We’re very excited to be partnering with CISWP to support groundbreaking research aimed at protecting the health and safety of people across the province and better understanding injury risks to prevent them in the future.”
The importance of preventing job-related injuries and the profound impact on the community was brought into stark focus by Melanie Kowalski-Fleming and her advocacy with Threads of Life, a Canadian charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace tragedy.
Every average working day in Canada, three people will die from a job-related fatality, life-altering injury or occupational disease, and hundreds will be injured, she said. “One injury, one illness and certainly one fatality is one too many.”
Kowalski-Fleming’s husband suffered catastrophic injuries in 2011 while working as an industrial electrician and died four years later. Sharing the story of her family’s loss in hopes of preventing others from experiencing the same heartbreak, she encourages everyone to learn about safe work practices, injury risks and worker rights.
“We can all be a part of not only keeping ourselves safe, but keeping those around us safe as well,” Kowalski-Fleming said. “We can all take more proactive steps to ensure the health and safety and well-being of everyone around us. Dedicate the time to educate yourself, your family and your co-workers about healthy and safe practices at home and at work.”
CISWP prioritizes research-to-practice initiatives with emphasis on sharing knowledge, and institute researchers are invited to speak nationally and internationally.
The cutting-edge research equipment at the Cambridge campus is complemented by field equipment in order to gather extensive data both in the lab and at job sites to better understand injury risk and prevention, and to develop databases to support the inclusive design of equipment and personal protective equipment for a diverse skilled trades workforce.
“Our mission is clear - use accurate data to support evidence-based decisions, enabling organizations to prioritize safety initiatives that make the most impact,” said CISWP executive director Amin Yazdani. “Ultimately our effort will contribute to a more resilient and competitive workforce in Ontario, positioning the province as a global leader in occupational health and safety research and innovation.”
Yazdani encouraged everyone at the fair to make safety integral at work.
“When we prioritize safety, we protect not only ourselves, but also our colleagues, families and future generations. Take this opportunity to learn, share and grow together, ensuring that safety remains at the forefront of our endeavours.”
Founded in 2019, the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance is the only applied research centre in Canada’s college system working to ensure Canadian workplaces are safe, productive and sustainable, and employee well-being is protected. The institute has fostered partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, unions and government and has closely collaborated with more than 100 partners on various applied research projects.