Manufacturers across the region have the opportunity to strengthen workplace safety while reducing operating costs, thanks to a partnership between the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC).
Through WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence Program, EMC is supporting manufacturers as they build or formalize health and safety management systems that protect workers and improve day-to-day operations. The program is voluntary, but the incentives are significant.
Participating companies can earn rebates on their WSIB premiums by completing approved safety topics through the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program, delivered by approved providers such as EMC. The rebate amount is calculated as a percentage of the company’s WSIB premiums for the previous year. In addition, employers receive a $1,000 financial incentive each time they develop a new, approved health and safety action plan.
For advanced manufacturers facing ongoing labour pressures, regulatory complexity and rising costs, the program offers more than financial relief. It provides a structured way to identify risks, strengthen safety culture and reduce injuries that lead to lost time and productivity.
Better safety practices also support talent retention at a time when experienced workers are in high demand. For employees in skilled trades and hands-on roles, these investments signal a clear commitment to worker well-being, risk prevention and long-term stability, all factors that increasingly influence where people choose to work and stay.
“When manufacturers invest in safer workplaces, workers notice,” says Jason Bates, regional field rep for EMC and chair of LEDC’s London Region Manufacturing Council. “For skilled trades in particular, safety culture plays a real role in where people choose to work and build their careers.”
The Health and Safety Excellence Program is open for registration, and companies can join at any point. EMC, as a WSIB approved provider, works directly with manufacturers to guide them through topic selection, action planning and reporting requirements, helping teams turn safety goals into measurable outcomes.
Manufacturers in the London region are encouraged to assess their eligibility and explore how the program can fit into their broader business strategy. Investing in safer workplaces now can deliver immediate financial benefits while building more resilient operations for the future.
To learn more about eligibility, rebates and next steps available through WSIB and EMC, visit: Health & Safety - EMC Canada
