Saskatchewan Construction Community Focuses on Injury Prevention at Recent Event

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REGINA – Recently, the construction community in Saskatchewan convened in Regina to address the critical issue of preventing serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) within the industry. The gathering, organized by the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA), included a workshop and a keynote dinner featuring Dr. Steven Ayer, a safety expert specializing in energy management and an educator at the University of Colorado Boulder. The event underscored the significant decline in serious injury rates in Saskatchewan's construction sector over the past decade, which has been attributed to the concerted efforts of employers, workers, and industry partners to enhance safety measures. According to a press release from the SCSA, this decline reflects the increased implementation of formal safety management systems, particularly through the COR® program.
Despite the positive trend, the release emphasized that serious injuries still contribute disproportionately to injury-related costs and have historically been more resistant to conventional prevention strategies. The continued reduction of serious injuries and fatalities remains a pressing challenge for Saskatchewan's construction industry.
During the event, the focus shifted to the concept of energy-based safety, which involves a systematic and scientific examination of construction sites to identify potential energy sources that could pose risks to workers. Dr. Ayer explained that this approach aids in recognizing hazards that might be overlooked in traditional safety planning. His work on High Energy Control Assessments is redefining the methods by which high-energy hazards are located and managed in the field.
Dr. Ayer articulated the importance of addressing high-energy hazards, stating, “High energy is often required for work to be accomplished. While eliminating high-energy hazards would be ideal, it’s not often practical. We need to identify those hazards and prioritize controlling them to keep workers safe.” He further remarked on the inevitability of human error, stating, “We all make mistakes. The question is not ‘if’ it is ‘when’ these mistakes will occur. If high-energy hazards miss controls to prevent or hinder this transfer of energy to workers, when mistakes happen, the impacts are likely to be far more severe.”
The insights shared during this event highlight ongoing efforts to enhance safety in Saskatchewan’s construction sector, with a particular emphasis on innovative methods to identify and control risks associated with energy. As the industry continues to make strides, the focus remains on minimizing serious injuries and ensuring a safer working environment for all involved.

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