BASE Wins WorkSafe NB Award for Safety Practices & Leadership
BASE Engineering and Graymont recognized for health and safety leadership
October 9, 2015
WorkSafeNB honoured BASE Engineering Inc. and Graymont (NB) Inc. today for their outstanding achievements in workplace health and safety.
BASE Engineering, which specializes in radio remote-control technology in Saint John, and Graymont, a leading supplier of lime and limestone products in Havelock, were recognized during WorkSafeNB’s 2015 Health and Safety Conference in Fredericton.
“These two companies demonstrate exemplary commitment to employee health and safety,” said Gerard Adams, WorkSafeNB’s president and CEO. “We’re pleased to honour them among their peers today.”
BASE Engineering Inc. produces systems that allow workers to distance themselves from potentially hazardous environments in the petrochemical, aviation, military and construction industries. Safety is not only the focus of BASE’s products, it’s also embedded in its culture.
Employees are encouraged to discuss safety daily.
“It’s an open conversation,” said Stephen Belyea, president of BASE Engineering Inc. “We’re in the safety business and this begins at the hiring interview. Our products save lives and our staff members are highly trained to deliver on our safety promise. This includes our day-to-day activity at the factory.”
Graymont (NB) Inc. operates five processing plants and a quarry with a staff of 40. Extracting limestone is hard work, and often involves explosives and heavy equipment. Despite this, it’s been more than a decade since the company has had a lost-time workplace accident.
Dave Holmes, Graymont’s production supervisor, attributes this to its culture. Workers are involved in all workplace decisions, from human resources to safety, and every employee starts the day with warm-up stretches.
“It’s about ownership,” said Holmes. “Everyone here is considered a safety professional. They are the leaders and drivers of safety. Management is just here to back them up.”
WorkSafeNB has been hosting its annual Health and Safety Conference for 35 years. More than 550 people attended this year’s event.