‘These are inspirational, aspirational and valued outcomes that recognize that: ‘What we do daily as safety professionals and the safety profession and our collective safety system efforts really work. Something tragic does not happen – what a great job and calling!’’
As Canada’s Safest Employers Awards 2026 draws near, it’s important to highlight just how important this event is for occupational health and safety professionals in the country.
A couple of safety leaders have said that the national program plays a vital role in promoting prevention excellence and sustaining momentum in occupational health and safety (OHS) across Canadian workplaces.
The awards – which recognise organisations with strong safety systems, measurable prevention outcomes and engaged safety cultures – are viewed by practitioners as an important benchmark for health and safety performance.
Balancing tragedy with recognition of success
Peter Sturm, senior safety, health and risk management executive with Sturm Consulting and a participant in the awards since their inception, said the program helps balance the profession’s focus on serious incidents by highlighting the impact of effective prevention.
“As a participant since the inception of the Canada’s Safest Employer Awards, I am amazed at our recognizing organizations and their people that ‘go beyond and have success’ in their safety program and prevention outcomes,” Sturm told Canadian Occupational Safety (COS).
“At times, we are pulled down by the tragedies associated with our work, which is noble, however we need to ‘celebrate the accomplishments’ that the award winners demonstrate in their daily work,” he added.
Sturm said the results showcased each year underscore the value of the work carried out by OHS practitioners and their counterparts across the broader safety system.
‘These are inspirational, aspirational and valued outcomes that recognize that: ‘What we do daily as safety professionals and the safety profession and our collective safety system efforts really work. Something tragic does not happen – what a great job and calling!’’ he said.
‘Best of the best’ create a path to success
Sturm also stressed the importance of highlighting leading performers at a time when many safety teams are working under significant pressure.
“The world of safety at times is challenging and we can question the ‘why’ continue when progress is slow,” Sturm said. “The recognition of the ‘best in the field of occupational health and safety’ for me is that there is a path to success. Others are finding pathways to prevention, and how can I be like this group of best safety performers and inspire me and my organizations to take the same road to success. When we recognize the best, we create a path for all of us to learn and strive to join the ‘club of success in safety.’”
The awards are also seen as a platform for employers to demonstrate their safety performance to current and prospective workers.
Carla Madra, president and CEO of Women Building Futures Society, said recognition programs help employers tell their story and reinforce the importance of health and safety within their operations.
“I think awards like these are critical to help employers promote themselves in terms of their ability to… share their story about their safety processes and the importance of safety within their organization,” Madra said during the 2025 edition of the event.
She noted that, from a workforce development perspective, the awards also reassure employers that program graduates are entering the labour market with a strong grounding in OHS. Her organisation trains women for careers in the skilled trades and related sectors.
The program “also [helps] to give employers confidence that our employees have trained our students from a health and safety perspective knowing that those students are coming out with a great track record to bring into their places of employment,” Madra said.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Canada’s Safest Employers Awards, giving organizations across the country a chance to join a select group of safety champions recognized as the national standard-setters in occupational health and safety.
This year’s gala will be held on October 22, 2026, at Toronto’s Automotive Building at Exhibition Place, with nominations accepted until May 8, 2026.
