Safety in any workplace is vital. It is especially important in complex industries, however, where the potential for accidents is unfortunately a reality. In these cases, employees and their families rely on the employer to ensure their safety, health and wellness, which is exactly why Northern Pulp makes workplace safety a priority for everyone, no matter their position. And it is this commitment to safety that has garnered Nova Scotia’s only pulp mill the title of the 2017 Third Safest Mill in Canada within its category (50,000-80,000 man-hours per month).
This esteemed title, which is awarded every year by Pulp and Paper Canada, was revealed in the industry magazine’s spring 2018 edition.
“Northern Pulp’s management team and entire workforce can all take pride in this significant safety recognition. We have created culture of safety and awareness throughout our plant”, acknowledges Bruce Chapman, General Manager, Northern Pulp.
In October 2015, top executives from across Nova Scotia signed a new Nova Scotia Health and Safety Leadership Charter that commits them to reducing injuries in their workplaces. Not only is this Charter the first of its kind in Nova Scotia, but it is a promise to all Nova Scotians to make health and safety a key concern. As part of their commitment to its employees and their loved ones, Northern Pulp initiated a Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee (JOHSC), which is composed of an equal number of employees and management representatives who, together, work to improve health and safety in the workplace for all workers.
“In addition, the committee presents programs periodically to educate and train employees about safety issues. The Safety Committee makes decisions by consensus; they develop a written agenda and maintain written minutes of every meeting to ensure transparency,” says Chapman.
“The JOHSC often makes use of sub-committees to make recommendations to the whole committee for approval, effecting new or existing policy and procedure,” says Chapman.
“As an example, a sub-committee made revised changes to the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) policy, we reviewed the suggested changes, made recommendations and then accepted the new policy which was then subsequently implemented mill wide.”
The JOHSC is made up of several unionized members, who provide reports on the committee’s work at all monthly union meetings, further ensuring all vital health and safety information or concerns reach Norther Pulp employees, says Chapman, adding the JOHSC meets every month and will convene for special meetings called by the chair or co-chair when necessary.
The formation of the JOHSC affords Northern Pulp an opportunity to share important and relevant information and best practices with respect to safety issues and promotes continuous improvement in health and safety strategies, programming and performance throughout the company, according to Chapman.
Norther Pulp’s increased focus on safety has landed the company a Medical Incident Recordable (MIR) rate of .92. “Although any medical incident is one too many as far as we are concerned, we are very happy we have been able to achieve what is essentially considered a ‘World Class MIR’ rating [MIR below 1.00.],” says Chapman.
In supporting the Nova Scotia Health and Safety Leadership Charter, Northern Pulp is also supporting the continuous growth of a positive workplace safety culture and that by creating a culture of health and safety at work, it can potentially lead to more awareness outside of work, explains Chapman, which is a key mandates of the Charter.
“Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our dedicated employees, contractors, visitors and the community,” Chapman states, adding, “We believe that safety in the workplace starts with awareness and transparency. And we are committed to ensuring Northern Pulp remains one of the safest mills in Canada.”
