The labour shortage and mobility of the labour force make it harder for employers to provide effective health and safety training. The ongoing problem of staff retention is common across the five sub-sectors that make up our client base. There is a trend to contract out work, such as deliveries. The contractor often receives little if any health and safety training. Home businesses are growing and the line between home and work continues to blur.
Small businesses continue to be hard to reach but are a vital part of our client base.
Language and cultural barriers continue to be factors in the workplace, due to the large proportion of workers who have limited knowledge of English and the Canadian culture. Cultural differences are not defined by language alone and affect the way information about health and safety is taught and received. The health and safety of immigrant temporary workers continues to be a concern. Cost cuts in the school system have reduced the number of programs available. This could contribute to a shortage of skilled labour in some of the trades.