The Generals - Spring/Summer 2014 - (Page 32)
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT
By David Frame
General contractors
are leaders in Health
and Safety.
32
B
y the time you receive this edition of
The Generals, the Ontario legislature
will be in full session and in run-up
to an important budget presentation.
Either the government will use it to frame its
agenda for the year or its defeat will lead us to
a spring election. Whatever the outcome, OGCA
is very active on your behalf, assuring that your
interests are addressed.
I'm not going to speculate on the outcome
of the political theatre we will experience this
spring. Our job is to make it not matter which
party forms government, but to put us in a position of strength to move forward, regardless of
the outcome.
This issue focuses on workplace health and
safety since it's a reflection of the value we have
for our employees and our industry. Operating
a safe business is not only the right thing to do
but it is also good business. It communicates
to your workforce that you value their safety
and well-being. It reduces your cost of WSIB
and exposure to charges under the OH&S Act.
It builds the case for OGCA to tell the government that, given the opportunity and proper
incentives, OGCA members will perform and
do the right thing.
With our partners in the Construction
Employers Coalition, we have developed an open
and productive relationship with former WSIB
Chair Steve Mahoney and now Elizabeth Witmer.
This issue features an interview with WSIB Chair
Witmer. With more than 22 years' experience as
a member of the legislature, including a cabinet minister in many of the most demanding
portfolios including Deputy Premier, she brings
both experience and credibility to the job. She
is always interested in listening and even if she
doesn't agree, she will work to find the right solution. In her first two years on the job, the WSIB
has made great strides to controlling the cost
of claims and reducing the unfunded liability.
OGCA's counsel with Steve Mahoney,
Elizabeth Witmer and other senior WSIB officials
View this issue online at www.naylornetwork.com/oga-nxt
has helped them manage a difficult challenge
and assures that the needs of the construction
industry and general contractors are always
understood. Our credibility must be earned and
it starts with our commitment to excellence in
health and safety.
OGCA has five strategic goals and objectives. They are the reason why we exist and are
a reflection of our values as an organization.
The second goal is safety, specifically "promote
safety excellence among members and within
the industry." This long-standing commitment to
safety has generated great value for the industry
and our members.
Fifteen years ago, OGCA was the first of a
group of associations who volunteered for the
Safety Group program developed by the WSIB.
At its height, we had over 140 members involved.
Over the years, participating members earned
almost $10 million in rebates for completing
the requirements and reducing accident rates.
The program was so successful, it drove down
the Construction ICI rate group price and OGCA
members reduced both lost time and no lost
time accidents to a rate less than 30% of the
industry rate. A great achievement!
In the last ten years, OGCA members have
cut their LTI frequency by more than half down
to .38. The construction ICI rate group has made
even greater improvements, taking a 2.23 LTI
frequency down to .98. What is even more
impressive is that the group that was formerly
mid-pack in performance for the construction
industry is now the best performer, surpassing
General contractors are
now the safest in the
industry and members of
OGCA are the safest.
http://www.naylornetwork.com/oga-nxt
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Generals - Spring/Summer 2014
Chairman’s Message
President’s Message
Member Milestones
Government Relations Report
Index to Advertisers
Partnering: The Deliberate Creation of Culture that Supports Collaboration
75th AGM and Conference – Scottsdale, Arizona
2014 Conference: Las Vegas
OGCA Affinity Program
OGCA 75th Anniversary Gala
The Winds of Change Help Transform the WSIB
COR Designation Provides Safety to Construction Workers and Buyers
Thinking, Working, Growing: Ledcor Group
Bill C-45: Ten Years Later
Workshield Health and Safety Solutions Inc. Formed to Meet the Requirements of New Legislation (297/13)
The Generals - Spring/Summer 2014
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