Our Proposal to Include the Machining Industry Code in the MHSA Membership

In June of 2023, WCB will be requesting your participation. A polling letter will be circulated asking for employers in the Machining industry code 30801, to decide if the full industry should become an automatic member of the MHSA.

Approximately 23% of employers (based on payroll) in the Machining industry are already paid members with the MHSA. By having all of 30801 employers as automatic members of the MHSA, the association would present a unified voice for the Machining industry, as well as provide members with access to discounted safety training and certification. All employers in the industry would contribute to the funding of the MHSA through a levy that would be built into your WCB premium rates (see below for more details).

Who Are We

To introduce ourselves, we are the Manufacturers’ Health and Safety Association (MHSA) representing the manufacturing industry in Alberta. In collaboration with the government, we serve as the voice for the industry and currently represent over 1500 employers. Our employers  are receiving benefits of an MHSA membership which includes reduced training costs, accessibility to experienced Safety Advisors, access to onsite training, virtual instructor led courses, and e-learning programs. The MHSA is accountable through our Board of Directors to industry members by representing their best interests on health and safety matters with groups such as the Partnerships in Injury Reduction program which includes the Government of Alberta (OHS) and WCB.

As well as a Health & Safety Association, the MHSA is a Certifying Partner. This means we can provide resources and guidance to help companies achieve or maintain a Certificate of Recognition (COR). Benefits of the MHSA COR auditing program includes utilization of the Peer Auditor program, controlled audit costs, zero QA fees, and efficient audit processes. In addition, MHSA recognizes ISO 45001 certification as a COR equivalency.

How to Participate in the Vote

WCB will administer the polling of the industry. You can expect to receive a polling letter in June/July of 2023 asking for your decision if the full industry should become a member of the MHSA. In becoming a funding industry of the MHSA, your premium rates would be increased to include a levy to help fund the MHSA and allow us to provide the benefits that come with that membership. 

Should the vote be successful, a seat on the MHSA board of directors will be offered to a representative of the machining industry to help steer the organization and to ensure your voices are heard.

Help us to achieve our mission to achieve worksite wellness and reduce occupational injuries and illnesses in the manufacturing industry. 

When you receive the polling letter, please Vote “Yes” for joining the MHSA and look forward to a partnership in creating safer workplaces across Alberta.

More information on this Opportunity

We can make Alberta workplaces safer and healthier to thrive in the global market.

There is a growing demand from government and private enterprises for expertise in health and safety in machining in Alberta. The role of occupational health and safety in the manufacturing and machining industry in Alberta is ever-changing. Companies are seeking ways to compete in the local, national, and global economies while remaining profitable. The cost of injuries occurring in the workplace is no longer accepted as just a “cost of doing business.” Instead, the industry is looking at having employees in the workplace develop the core competencies required to create and maintain a healthy and safe work environment. It will require the standardization of processes, efficiencies, and resources. Together with the WCB, we are ready to offer these services province-wide to implement the necessary programs and training.

Becoming an Auto Member of the MHSA is easy, and can be included as part of your WCB premiums.

It is the intention of the MHSA, with WCB’s support to determine your interest in becoming an auto member of the association. By becoming an auto member, a portion of your WCB premiums will be allotted to MHSA automatically creating a seamless, hands-off transaction. The MHSA’s current levy for 2023 is 0.08 per $100.00 of assessable earnings. For an employer with $1 million in assessable payroll, the premium for the MHSA levy would be $800.00. Vote in favor of becoming an auto member of the MHSA for representation in industry effective January 1, 2024.

As an Auto Member of the MHSA, you will have access to services and training such as:

• Health & Safety Training: Offered Virtual, Onsite, and in-person (download MHSA Course Offering Booklet)

• Certificate of Recognition

• ISO45001 certification can be recognized as an equivalency for the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program

• Auditor Training

• Safety Management System Program Building (Rent a Safety Advisor)

• Manufacturing Safety Officer (MSO)/Manufacturing Safety Administrator (MSA) Designation (download PDF brochure)

• Toolbox Talks

The MHSA is customer service driven; it is our membership that make up those customers. The association is committed to provide leading industry knowledge and training. MHSA’s training is course specific to your workers needs with no membership fee required. The employees of the association are full time passionate individuals who are readily available to collaborate with. MHSA welcomes opportunities to better assist our members by building relationships. We can be available to participate in your safety meetings, conduct training on site when requested, and support the employer with government inspections and/or employer reviews.

Why You Should Consider the MHSA.

Since 1992 our organization has made it our mission to help Alberta industry improve its safety performance.

The Manufacturers’ Health & Safety Association, better known as MHSA, is a non-profit Health & Safety Association that has been operating since 1992. MHSA since its inception has helped manufacturers improve their safety performance and works closely with government and industry to reduce injuries and occupational illnesses.

MHSA is actively involved with several industry-related committees in the province of Alberta to ensure we remain current with legislation, projects, and government mandates. We have strong relationships with our partners including, Occupational Health & Safety, Partnerships in Injury Reduction, and Workers Compensation Board. These relationships allow us to best serve our membership. 

MHSA currently supports several employers in the manufacturing industry as auto members including WCB industry code 30100 (Steel/Metal Fabrication) and 62500 (Steel Service Centre). The MHSA has a membership of more than 1500 businesses across Alberta. 

Shawcor, one of the nation’s leading pipeline manufacturers is a long-term MHSA member who is committed to employee safety and continuous improvement.

“The big reason that we chose to stay with MHSA and also move tanks over was really the personal touch that we get with you. Over the years that we have had MHSA as our CP, we have been able to build meaningful, personal relationships with many of you.  The ability to be able to reach out and discuss questions that come up or have someone come to a site to look at a process alongside us is invaluable.  The knowledge that you have gained of our business and our processes over the years gives you the ability to provide helpful information that is relative to what we do.  In my experience with other certifying partners, there is no personal relationship or onsite support readily available.  MHSA is the most applicable PIR for us since we are a manufacturing company - we speak the same language.”

Carolyn Single; Manager, Standards & Systems – HSE Composite Production Systems - Shawcor

Testimonial from an Industry Member

Hi-Kalibre, an employer in machining and current MHSA paid member speaks to their experience. (download Hi-Kalibre’s testimonial)

Located Across Alberta with In-Person Classrooms and Virtual Instructor-Led Courses

MHSA offers three convenient locations across Alberta; located in Rocky View, Red Deer, and Edmonton. However, training is also available in the Southern Alberta region, such as Medicine Hat and Lethbridge or the Northern Alberta region, such as Grand Prairie and Lloydminster. MHSA Advisors can travel to your site to deliver training or can accommodate with a virtual instructor-led training session.

“On behalf of the MHSA, I can assure you that we are committed to working with employers in Machining by providing the service, support, time, and partnership required. We believe by working diligently on your behalf, as a member of the association we will earn your trust and be a resource you can rely on. One of MHSA’s values is “collaboration” and we are committed to working together with your industry to accomplish our mission statement. Together we can “achieve worksite wellness and reduce occupational injuries and illnesses in the manufacturing industry.”

Mike Bett (Executive Director) - Manufacturers’ Health & Safety Association

The MHSA is governed by a Board of Directors who welcome your involvement and participation on our Board. It is the MHSA’s intention to offer a seat to industry code 30801 on the Board. This commitment involves three meetings per year and offers your industry the benefit of being well connected and informed on industry activities. For more information, please review the included message from MHSA Board Chair. (download Chair message here)

We welcome you to reach out to speak to the MHSA directly to discuss how we can enhance the future of your company together.

Make the commitment. Enrich the awareness of employee safety in your workforce and complement your Safety Program by becoming an auto member of the MHSA. A safer workplace starts here!

Call 1-888-249-2002

For more information on MHSA’s Commitment to Safety and member experiences please check out a document from MHSA’s 25th Anniversary Year. download here