BASES Safety Partnership Hosts its Annual Health & Safety Forum
This past February, industry leaders, contractors, and labour groups came together at the annual BASES Safety Partnership Health & Safety Forum to collaborate, learn, and drive meaningful conversations about workplace safety in Sarnia-Lambton. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to explore emerging challenges, share best practices, and reinforce their commitment to workplace safety.
The day opened with inspiring remarks from Peter West, Sarnia Plant Manager at ARLANXEO, who reflected on the region’s longstanding commitment to safety, the progress made over the years, and the ongoing importance of keeping safety top of mind every day. This was followed by a Safety Moment led by Dayne Sanderson of Kel-Gor Ltd., reinforcing the critical role of mental health in the workplace and emphasizing the need to support workers’ well-being alongside physical safety. Together, these opening moments set a strong and meaningful tone for the day ahead.
One of the key discussions focused on Substance Use in the Workplace, featuring expert perspectives from Shell Sarnia Manufacturing Centre, Lambton Public Health, and BlackTracks K9. The presentations addressed the complexities of managing substance use in both the workplace and society, highlighting proactive strategies, policy considerations, and support resources for both employers and workers.
The forum’s keynote presentation, delivered by Gordon Walsh from Energy Safety Canada, introduced a fresh perspective on safety through Human & Organizational Performance (HOP), aligning with the ‘Safety Differently’ approach. Rather than focusing on individual blame, HOP emphasizes system-wide improvements and encourages organizations to rethink how they manage risk and human error.
Walsh outlined the five key principles of HOP:
- People make mistakes
- Blame fixes nothing
- Context drives behavior
- Learning is essential
- How we respond matters
By shifting the way organizations view safety, HOP encourages a proactive, adaptive approach to managing risk and fostering a more resilient safety culture.
The Forum concluded with the presentation of the inaugural BASES Worker Recognition Awards, celebrating five local individuals who exemplify an outstanding commitment to workplace safety. Recognizing these contributions reinforces the critical role workers play in shaping a strong safety culture in Sarnia-Lambton.
Thanks to the engagement of our speakers, attendees, and partners, the 2025 BASES Safety Partnership Health & Safety Forum was a resounding success. As we continue to advance workplace safety through collaboration and innovation, this event serves as a valuable platform for learning and progress.