On the Road to Safety Excellence

Arriving at a Safer Destination

By April of 2011, Toronto Transit’s Bus Division had achieved a 68 percent reduction in lost time injuries. Between 2009 and 2010, the division also reduced preventable bus collisions by 19 percent. A reassessment of TTC’s culture in 2010 showed some improvement across the characteristics measured in the 2007 report. In addition, employees reported signs of safety improvement, an increased willingness to report injuries, an increased understanding of accident root causes and drivers and mechanics reported management was asking for their input and taking more action to address their concerns. In particular, employees reported more positive feedback and interactions from their supervisors increased their willingness “to go the extra mile to make sure our guy and the TTC do well.” O’Grady says that the employee engagement developed through the effort was a long way from where the culture started. “We’ve unlocked a lot of potential. It’s contagious.”

While the TTC is pleased with the results to date, it recognizes that the work has just begun. The TTC continues to face new and unique challenges that can lead to a defocusing of the safety effort. However TTC leadership is compelled to continue to provide a safe workplace, so employees can go home safe, which is in line with its umbrella for this change: Work Safe-Home Safe.