VOLUME 119 | AUGUST 2019 | NUMBER 7
2019-08Taking the Risk Out of Roller of Roller of Coaster Manufacturing By Sarah Ripplinger (Page 17-19)
When minor workplace injuries were adding up to lost work time and increased premiums, Dynamic Attractions knew it was time to make a change. Today, the company hasn’t had a lost-time injury in nearly five years.
When Dean Murphy first joined Dynamic Attractions, the company was eager to improve its safety record. Formerly called Dynamic Structures, it designs, manufactures and installs roller coasters and other attractions around the world. While the company’s attractions have always been popular, back in 2005, behind-the-scenes excess costs were adding up.
“It could cost five times a worker’s salary to replace them if they get injured,” says WorkSafeBC Occupational Safety Officer Paul Bergin. “Employers also lose an integral part of their workforce.”
In 2005, Dynamic’s workplace safety record was costing the business just over 7% of its payroll in insurance premiums. Insurance premiums are calculated based on a company’s experience rating, which takes into consideration its claim costs for the past three years, the size of the business, and how it compares to other businesses in the same industry.
“Not only were we paying a lot in premiums, I knew we could do better to protect our workers by taking additional steps to prevent injuries,” explains Vice President of Corporate Safety Dean Murphy, who works out of Dynamic’s Port Coquitlam location. (Ironworker August 2019, Page 17-19)
source: ironworkers.org
