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Vancouver Airport Authority’s commitment to employee health and safety was recognized with two prestigious national awards: Canada’s Best Health & Safety Culture award and the Gold award in the transportation category of Canada’s Safest Employers for 2015.
Vancouver Airport Authority is the operator of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Canada’s second-busiest airport and gateway hub linking the Americas to Asia.
A team of 452 employees helps deliver the safe operation of the busy international airport, one that is expected to serve a record 20 million passengers by the end of 2015. From maintenance and airfield shift workers to office-based 9-to-5 employees, the Airport Authority’s occupational mix demands a robust and varied safety program.
“Safety is central to everything we do. It’s a core value, a decision–making tool and at the heart of our license to operate,” said Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority.
“To be recognized as Canada’s strongest health and safety culture in addition to being Canada’s safest transportation employer is a tremendous testament to the power of a positive, safety-centred culture that we work hard to improve year after year. I’m proud to say that in 2014, we had zero health and safety non-compliances.”
Announced at a gala event in Toronto Oct. 28 and published in the November edition of Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine, Canada’s Safest Employers Awards is an annual recognition program for Canadian companies that deliver exemplary employee health and safety initiatives and accomplishments.
Canadian Occupational Safety magazine cited several key elements of the airport authority’s health and safety program for its wins, including its Presidents Award for Safety Excellence (PASE) program, in which departments good-naturedly compete to create innovative safety solutions; a comprehensive construction safety management program that exceeds industry best practices; and regular internal campaigns that focus on pertinent occupational health and safety topics such as mental health awareness, tool safety and work station ergonomics.
“We are thrilled to honour Vancouver Airport Authority with Canada’s Best Health and Safety Culture award,” said Amanda Silliker, editor of Canadian Occupational Safety magazine.
“YVR showcased the strongest health and safety culture in the country — a culture that not only permeates the workplace, but extends into the employer’s community, networks and areas of influence to make health and safety a priority for all.”
