WCB Hosts 7th Annual Workplace Health and Safety Conference

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) is holding its 7^th Annual Conference on Workplace Health and Safety on April 20 and 21 at the Delta Prince Edward in Charlottetown. This world class event provides workshops on some of the most current and comprehensive health and safety training practices available today.  The conference features seventeen speakers, including motivational expert and keynote speaker Farley Flex, and Lisa Hilton, who will speak on how mentoring can improve safety performance.”

Carol Anne Duffy, CEO of the Workers Compensation Board, said “the conference is an important annual event as it raises awareness about workplace injury, illness and prevention.  In 2005 alone, 1000 Canadians died from workplace injury and disease in Canada and close to 900 workers were injured seriously enough in Prince Edward Island to miss work.  We have seen a reduction in the occurrence of workplace injury and disease since 2000 and attribute this to events like the workplace health and safety conference, our commitment to education and prevention practices, and greater awareness among workers and employers.”

Duffy said “there are many important workshops being offered at the conference including education on the new Occupational Health and Safety Regulations involving violence in the workplace, working alone and scaffolding.  The new regulations come into effect May 1, 2006 and will apply to all workplaces.”

George MacDonald, Chair of Workers Compensation Board, said “the workplace health and safety conference provides information to workers, employers and the general public that could ultimately save lives on Prince Edward Island. MacDonald emphasized that “through education and awareness, and by working together, we can create a culture of safety where workplace injury and illness become a thing of the past.” The Workers Compensation Board is committed to promoting safe workplaces and protecting employers and workers.

For more information contact Mark Barrett:

Tel: (902) 894-0362
Email: mabarrett@wcb.pe.ca