b'CSAM NEWSBUILDING SUCCESS IN SAFETY The Construction Safety Association of Manitoba celebrates 30 yearsIt was 1989 and the Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) could see their industry needed help.The number of workplace incidents had been significantly on the rise in Manitoba in the 1980s, and Workers Compensation Board (WCB) premiums were climbing with them. Manitoba needed a safer construction industry, both morally and financially. And so, the WCA created a small but necessary venture: the Manitoba Building Contractors Safety Program (MBCSP).The first three or four years were difficult, says Gervin Greasley, the former WCA Executive Vice PresidentThe CSAM team in 2000 at Gervin Greasleys retirement. (L-R): Westman Safety Advisor who was instrumental in the formationRichard McCallum, Safety Technician Sean Scott, Administrative Assistant Gail Ursel, of MBCSP.WCA Executive Vice President Gervin Greasley, Program Coordinator Tara Zukewich and Director Bob Kirkhope.While MBCSP was created withwas difficult to make them realize theManitoba (CSAM) and had flourished three objectives based on providinghuman safety benefits as well as theinto a leader of workplace safety. The information and training aroundWCB premium and cost benefits, original slogan of, a program by the accident prevention methods, safetysays Greasley. industry, for the industry, evolved legislation and individual company safety programs, a lot of the workStarting in 1989 with one employeeinto, practical solutions for a safer in the beginning was to convinceand one desk tucked to the side ofworkplace,something on which the construction industry that safetyWCAs Burnell Street office, MBCSPCSAM continues to deliver.culture needed to change in Manitoba.used hard work and passion toWhat started off as a plea to lower A lot of the contractors saw it as andevelop the organization and promoteinjury rates in the province, grew into expense in money and time, and itsafety culture. Manitobas premier and trusted source By the mid-90s, independent safetyfor safety and health information, auditors were introduced and shortlyresources, tools and training.after, the COR program was broughtPeople turn to CSAM for leadership in in, further bolstering MBCSPs reachsafety and health because they know and portfolio. and trust we have the answers theyre In the 2000s, MBCSP was renamedlooking for, says CSAM Executive the Construction Safety Association ofDirector Sean Scott. 30 BUILD MANITOBAwinnipegconstruction.ca'