The Ontario Construction Report – January 2009 – PAGE OCR A3
Storm Clouds on the Horizon:
Publisher’s
WSIB and the Industry
viewpoint
We are concerned that of late, the indus- Is the system perfect? No, but that is
By Mark Buckshon, Publisher, Construction News and Report Group of Companies
try appears to be under attack by outside why the industry partners of WSIB have
forces and by the WSIB itself. Programs worked hard to respond to the weaknesses
How rough will the economic road velop a new, pro-active and creative ap-
and policies have been launched by the and to improve the system. We believe
ahead be? proach to marketing and promoting your
WSIB and the Ministry of Labour with lit- there is room for improvement on issues
I would like to say we will escape the business. If you’ve been relying on the
tle or no consultation for those who pay for such as mandatory training, increased ex-
worldwide recession lightly, but think we ‘old things’ then you may be in for a rude
the WSIB. That is not to say that we do not pectations of management, and a system
should all appreciate this economic down- awakening – and you may make mistakes
agree with some of these efforts but it is fairly balanced and not based on over pe-
turn will challenge all of our assumptions as you desperately seek out new business
clear there is a problem and it is growing. nalizing. Looking at actual safety programs
and expectations. If you are older, you to fill the holes in your order book.
know that recessions can sometimes be What can we learn from businesses
Why is it that some groups who contribute and achievements will improve the system.
deep and long (as the 1990s recession pro- which have survived hard times and con-
nothing to WSIB seem to have the govern- Until we are recognized and given equal
gressed, some were starting to use the ‘de- tinue to be viable?
ment’s ear while those of us in the front voice at the table, true progress cannot be
pression’ word to describe the frustrations The best answers, it seems, come from
lines and who pay the way have none? made.
of working through several years of hard a combination of creativity, solid client re-
Complaints concerning the WSIB and There must be true consultation and both
times). And since we’ve escaped really lationships (you want to make sure your
programs like Workwell and Accreditation sides need to listen to what is being said.
hard times for the past couple of decades, current and former clients stay with you)
continue to be received too regularly not to We do not do this for the money. We do it
we may have to work through a really dif- and effective, thoughtful, marketing. You
support such a conclusion. Comments by because we believe in the safety of all of ficult housecleaning in the economic cycle certainly don’t want to chase blindly ‘bid-
the WSIB itself do little to defend its pro- our workers. this time around. ding opportunities’ outside of your core re-
grams or the industry. The OGCA recognizes that change and Certainly, things are getting rough in lationships (competence is important, but
This is not acceptable. The WSIB is an improvement are needed but are confused parts of the U.S. Our North Carolina pub- who you know in some cases is even more
insurance company funded entirely by its and disappointed by recent comments by
lisher Bob Kruhm reports extremely chal- important). When the Society for Market-
clients. No government money is involved. senior WSIB staff. It has been suggested
lenging times there – even though North ing Professional Services (SMPS) Ontario
Yet we who employ the staff at the WSIB to that the associations are not in touch with
Carolina avoided the worst excesses of the chapter is established in the next few
manage this “insurance” program have lit- the problem, and that we do not get it.
high-risk mortgage funding scandal that months, you should join. (In fact, I would
tle say in its operation and there is insuffi- Some of us have been accused of sabotag-
represented the tipping point for this eco- argue you should join SMPS now, even
cient accountability on how our money is ing certain endeavors. It seems the WSIB
nomic cycle. For a while, it seemed, before the chapter is established, to build
spent. has taken the path of shooting the messen-
North Carolina defied gravity – as other your AEC marketing network and con-
Safety is the employer
southern states went into a slump, North tacts.)
’s responsibility, ger instead of listening to those who do get
and we accept that. But employees have to it.
Carolina continued to thrive. Not any Yes, the next few years will test your
share that responsibility and follow safe The industry is stepping up together to
more. skills and abilities, and you will probably
work practices. W
I’ve been receiving emails from as far find many days when you feel you are
e invest millions every reassert the industry perspective for an in-
year in training and educating our staff and surance program that is paid for by us and
away as the United Kingdom and Aus- being kicked when you are down. The
tralia, as construction businesses used to platitude: “Don’t worry, it will get better”
workers. We participate at every level of is intended to help injured workers. We are
many years of success suddenly find doesn’t help much – in fact it could hurt if
promoting safety and developing policy. united in coming together to improve the
themselves in uncharted, difficult waters. you decide to simply do nothing. But you
Rebates never make up a tenth of what system and defend the reputations and the
They’ve been visiting my Construction can get through the economic storm by re-
most firms invest in their safety programs. efforts of our members. We will no longer
Marketing Ideas blog, looking for answers membering your values, by focusing on
Mistakes can happen but I defy anyone to be passive bystanders on how our money is
to the questions that threaten their business your competencies, and by learning how
prove that the vast majority of employers spent nor will we stand by any longer and
survival. Most have relied on the booming to market yourself and your business ef-
knowingly try to avoid responsibility for an be accused of supposed injustices while
market, coupled with repeat and referral fectively. And that is why we are here.
accident. It is simply not worth it. those who risk nothing and pay nothing try business, to grow – now their clients, suf- Mark Buckshon is president of the
Independent studies conducted by the to influence and decide our fate. fering, aren’t buying anything, and they Construction News and Report Group of
Ontario Institute for Work and Health First in a series of Articles on the WSIB are struggling with the real world of com- Companies, which publishes construction
(2005) clearly showed that experience rat- by the OGCA. peting against many players for a much industry publications in several Canadian
ing “functions well, encourages prevention
smaller business pie. and U.S. cities. His blog, http://www.con-
and contributes to positive workplace Clive Thurston
Is this perspective excessively gloomy? structionmarketingideas.blogspot.com, is
health and safety practices.” President
Well, I think there are few things you updated daily, and he can be reached by
could do that would be dumber than ig- email at buckshon@cnrgp.com or by
noring the signals around you. You need phone at 888-432-3555 ext 224.
to plan for hard times, and prepare, and de-
Merit Canada
countries. a millwright in Ontario, but
“Canada has to update under the current regulation
Continued from page OCRA2 its accreditation require- he cannot,” Besseling
–––––––––––––––––––––––
ments. Many years ago, added. “The feds should be
each province designed its clearing that up.”
struction labourers are open own training system and A national association
shop. No one speaks to developed its own accredi- will hopefully deal effec-
that.” tation criteria but they are tively with these issues at
He also pointed to the now out-of-date.” the federal level, which will
lack of acknowledgment Mobility issues also have a flow-down effect for
for the skills of open shop need to be addressed. A few the provinces, he said.
labour. years ago Alberta and “All we are really ask-
“Construction labour on British Columbia devel- ing for is fairness whether
a nuclear plant is union, but oped a labour mobility con- distributing training funds
in the housing industry it’s tract between the two or awarding government
open shop. We need to provinces that allowed contracts,” Besseling said.
stress that both are equally qualified skilled labour “The people drafting the
as good at their jobs.” from one province to move legislation and the politi-
Another issue on the easily and work within cians need to be reminded
agenda is the lack of recog- each province. that the largest pool of con-
nition for the skills from “A millwright in B.C. is struction labour in Canada
those coming from other just as qualified to work as is open shop.”
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