Annual health and safety conference in Kelowna offers strategies to support Okanagan businesses in turbulent times.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Kelowna, B.C.—Across B.C. and Canada, local manufacturers and processors are considering the potential impacts of tariffs on their business. In this high-pressure economic environment, cost offsets often include delays in equipment upgrades, reduced investment in programs and training, and the spectre of layoffs—all factors that raise anxiety and create new hazards and business risk.

Make It Safe Okanagan on April 10 in Kelowna will connect the region’s health and safety community with critical training and shared insights— from industry panels to share best practice to a keynote with Dan MacQueen on transforming crisis into opportunity and a practical session with Dr. Steve Conway on building resilience to manage transitions in life and work.

“In this high-pressure environment, we recognize that safety may not always be top of mind,” notes Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC CEO Wayne Arondus. “And when workers are distracted, stressed, and aren’t paying attention, accidents can happen.”

“Our job is to advise and support B.C. businesses within these environmental and economic constraints to build viable health and safety strategies,” Arondus explains. Safety training and education encourages people to challenge their own complacency with existing structures and processes.

At Make It Safe Okanagan, industry experts and local leaders from companies located across the region such as Northside Industries, Rahr Malting and Freeport Industries will explore safety leadership and responsible business, and how to continue to drive down risk and support their people in the shadow of trade uncertainty and rising costs.

Practical workshops will help participants make new connections and learn new strategies to prevent injury and build resilience.

“Over the last few years, it’s become increasingly clear that in order to succeed and thrive, companies need to pivot and readapt during challenging times,” says Arondus. “That is only possible in a psychologically safe workplace, where leaders have the emotional intelligence to manage stress and help their teams navigate the situation.”

“As business leaders, we need ensure that our people are equipped to respond,” says Arondus.

When:                Thursday, April 10, 2025 | 8:30am – 4:30pm
Where:               Coast Capri Kelowna | Kelowna, BC
What:                 Make It Safe Okanagan – Health and Safety Conference

The goal of the Make It Safe conference series is to educate and connect B.C. businesses, building safer and stronger business communities across the province. Make It Safe conference sessions are curated to help attendees strengthen their safety culture while addressing the risks workers face every day.

The event will deliver important takeaways for everyone—managers, supervisors, and anyone looking to improve safety and engagement with their teams.

To see the full program and learn more, visit www.makeitsafe.ca.

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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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