Citation Canada says it will 'replace the need for any other health and safety product'
Citation Canada is rolling out a comprehensive health and safety platform designed to help Canadian businesses streamline safety processes, reduce injuries, and ensure regulatory compliance. This platform integrates multiple functions, offering a one-stop solution for companies that want to simplify their health and safety programs.
Shayne Ottman, health and safety consultant at Citation Canada, says the platform is built to be a full-service tool, integrating a variety of safety processes. “This platform will replace the need for any other health and safety product,” Ottoman claims. “It allows clients to integrate risk assessments, safe operating procedures, incident reporting, policies, and checklists, all into one place.”
The platform provides an extensive suite of features aimed at small to medium-sized businesses. According to Citation Canada, the product includes a custom policy manual, risk assessment tools, safe operating procedure templates, incident logs, and legislative alerts. Additionally, it offers clients access to an unlimited advice line and training courses to help them stay compliant with health and safety regulations.
Helping safety leaders take control
One of the key strengths of the platform is how it simplifies the creation and management of health and safety documentation. “We start the process with an onboarding call where the client gets a tour of the website and learns how to use all of the platform’s features,” Ottman explains. Once that initial orientation is completed, the client is assigned to a consultant like Ottman, who helps them develop a custom safety policy manual. “The policy manual becomes the foundation for everything else. All workplace practices are built from the expectations laid out in the manual, so it’s crucial to get it right,” he adds.
This hands-on approach ensures that businesses have a solid, well-organized foundation to build their safety programs. For health and safety leaders, the platform’s centralized approach means they no longer need to juggle multiple tools or struggle with inconsistent documentation. “It’s all about due diligence, communication, and documentation,” Ottman says. “You can say you’re doing everything, but the proof is in the pudding. The platform makes sure every action is documented and accessible later if needed.”
Accessible, but not universal
While the platform is designed to cater to a wide range of industries, Ottman acknowledges that it doesn’t cover every sector. “There are some highly regulated industries where we can’t step in without specific certifications, like aviation or nuclear power,” he admits. However, for most other industries, Citation Canada’s platform offers a high level of customization and support.
Ottman emphasizes that while the platform is versatile, it’s tailored to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses that may be just starting out with safety programs or looking to enhance what they already have in place. “We can help businesses that are starting from scratch, but we can also improve existing programs, making them more ironclad,” he says.
Rapid implementation and continuous support
Once onboarded, clients can expect to have full access to the platform within 30 days. Citation Canada offers two types of onboarding: a virtual assistant model where everything is managed online, and an in-person consultation where a health and safety expert visits the client’s workplace. Both models aim to get businesses up and running quickly.
In addition to the initial setup, clients benefit from ongoing support via Citation Canada’s advice line, where consultants are available to answer urgent health and safety questions. “We’ve set up a panel of consultants and advisors who are available by phone or email whenever a client needs help,” says Ottman. This real-time assistance ensures that businesses can stay compliant and respond quickly to any safety concerns that arise.
Looking forward
Ottman remains optimistic about the platform’s potential to improve health and safety standards across Canada. “We really think we can help the vast majority of Canadian workplaces,” he says. “It’s designed to be a complete solution for most small to medium-sized businesses, giving them everything they need to manage safety and prevent injuries.”
Despite its limitations in highly regulated industries, the platform could be a powerful toolkit for many Canadian companies looking to take control of their health and safety processes.