A message from the COO

Work Safe-Home Safe update

In 2007, the TTC refocused its approach to workplace safety with a Seven-Point Action Plan that evolved into a corporate philosophy of getting every employee home in the same condition in which they arrived at work: healthy and safe.

Work Safe-Home Safe, and the values of workplace safety it embraces, continue to this day. But some of the program’s activities are now undergoing change to better address the roles each of us play around workplace safety.

One of Work Safe-Home Safe’s core activities was the creation of CARE committees – Controlling Accidents by Reducing Exposures. CARE relied on workers observing their peers to better identify risks and potential barriers to performing tasks safely. The CARE process provided an excellent foundation of worker engagement. The time has come, however, to make some changes that will allow the TTC to further improve workplace safety, while continuing to rely on worker engagement.

Effective immediately, CARE will be wound down, replaced with other programs that ensure your input with respect to safety improvements at the TTC. Employee engagement will continue to play a vital role in all TTC safety programs. I want to thank everyone who participated in the CARE process, including the facilitators, team members, observers, clerks and local management. Your input was invaluable.

For example, Rail Infrastructure embarked on a series of workshops over the last month following the tragic death of Peter Pavlovski. The goal was to get direct input from employees about safety systems that are in place today, and then build upon that to strengthen and, ultimately, improve safety.

A safe workplace relies on each of us to do our part in protecting each other. We cannot sit back in the hopes that existing programs are enough to protect us in the future. Change, evolution, transformation – call it what you will – is necessary to ensure we are always doing what is right and best for the 12,000 men and women who work for the TTC.

I know I can count on each of you to continue contributing to keeping the TTC safe for all – yourselves, your co-workers and the public.

David Dixon
Chief Operating Officer
November 16, 2012