19 businesses from around the province recognized with awards in gala event hosted by the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, June 25, 2024 (Chilliwack, B.C.) – At this year’s Safety Pinnacle Awards Gala, on June 6, the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC recognized the achievements of businesses and individuals located across B.C. Thirteen companies were awarded Safety Pinnacle Awards, marking significant achievements in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces within manufacturing. Six prestigious Safety Excellence Awards were also presented to individuals and businesses for exemplary leadership and advocacy.

“The Safety Pinnacle Awards Gala is our chance as a community to celebrate the achievements of leaders in our province who work tirelessly to build healthy and safe workplaces,” shares Wayne Arondus, COO of the Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC.

“Often the courage and efforts of those who prioritize safety go unnoticed,” Arondus adds. “In the news, more often we see the impact of work-related accidents—but these awards and this event connect and support our thriving manufacturing industries in the work that they are doing every day to protect people.”

The Safety Pinnacle Awards celebrate companies for health and safety achievements, commitment, and continuous improvement—beginning with certification in the Occupational Safety Standard of Excellence (OSSE), BC’s COR program for the manufacturing sector. These awards celebrate the tangible outcomes of consistently lower injury rates for these OSSE-certified manufacturers—an average of 34 percent fewer injuries than non-certified members.

Thirteen companies received Topaz, Sapphire, Emerald, or Ruby Pinnacle Awards:

• BC Tree Fruits Cooperative (Kelowna, BC) – Emerald
• Con-Force Structures Ltd. (Richmond, BC) – Topaz
• ContainerWest Manufacturing Ltd. (Richmond, BC) – Sapphire
• Creative Salmon Company Ltd. (Tofino, BC) – Topaz & Sapphire
• eCycle Solutions Inc. (Chilliwack, BC) – Ruby
• Fine Choice Foods Ltd. (Richmond, BC) – Topaz & Sapphire
• Hevvy/Toyo Pumps North America Corporation (Coquitlam, BC) – Sapphire & Emerald
• K-Line Trailers Ltd. (Langley, BC) – Sapphire
• Packright Manufacturing Ltd. (Langley, BC) – Topaz & Sapphire
• PFG Glass Industries Ltd. (Langley, BC) – Sapphire
• Mauser Packaging Solutions/Ropak Canada Inc. (Langley, BC) – Sapphire & Emerald
• Sulzer Pumps (Canada) Inc. (Burnaby, BC) – Sapphire & Emerald
• VC Systems (New Westminster, BC) – Topaz

Six prestigious Safety Excellence Awards—decided by two external judging panels—were awarded to individuals and companies.

The 2024 Safety Excellence Award winners included:

• Soaring Eagle Leadership Award – Brent McCrea, Owner, McCrea’s Welding (Campbell River, BC)
  • For exemplary and inspiring leadership that includes commitment to health and safety
• Apex Award – Imelda Rivera, Health, Safety, and Environmental Manager, CKF Inc. (Langley, BC)
  • For commitment, passion, dedication, and action in support of health and safety
• Manufacturing Safety Innovator Award – Urban Impact Recycling (New Westminster, BC)
  • For innovation in safety based on OHS management systems, health and safety training, wellness, and culture.
• Fantastic Four Risk Control Leader Award – Peerless Limited (Penticton, BC)
  • For implementing solutions in three key manufacturing risk areas—and leadership in integrating health and safety into their business culture.
• Joint Health & Safety Committee Excellence Award – Vancouver Island Brewing (Victoria, BC)
  • For committee health and safety excellence and impact on workplace culture.
• Small Business People First Award – ContainerWest Manufacturing Ltd. (Richmond, BC)
  • For going beyond regulatory requirements to make impact workplace culture with demonstrated leadership.

To learn more, visit www.safetyalliancebc.ca/2024-gala-recap

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Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

The Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC is the not-for-profit health and safety association for British Columbia manufacturers and food processors and WorkSafeBC Certifying Partner for the Occupational Safety Standard of Excellence (the Certificate of Recognition, or COR, program for the manufacturing sector). The Alliance is committed to transforming the health and safety culture of organizations through effective OHS management systems, training, and certification. safetyalliancebc.ca

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Jean Fong |Communications and Content Marketing Specialist | 604.991.7423 | [email protected]