2025 Workplace Incident Trends Emphasize the Importance of Safety Programs in Canada
Workplace safety in Canada is under renewed scrutiny as serious incidents are on the rise. For occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals, especially those overseeing employees who work alone or in remote locations, these trends are a wake-up call to double down on prevention. An effective workplace safety program can mean the difference between a routine workday and a life-altering tragedy.
The goal is simple: ensure every worker returns home safely after every shift.
This blog explores how robust safety programs mitigate incidents, highlights Canadian workplace safety data and case examples, and outlines the crucial elements of protecting lone and remote workers.
Alarming Rise in Workplace Incidents Across Canada
Canada is experiencing a worrying increase in workplace incidents and fatalities. In 2022, there were 993 accepted work-related fatalities. Just one year later, that figure rose to 1,057. Non-fatal incidents are also widespread: in 2022, there were 348,747 accepted lost-time injury claims across the country.
Provincial breakdowns show just how serious the problem is:
Alberta reported 203 workplace deaths in 2024, the highest in more than a decade and well above the provincial average of ~165.
Saskatchewan consistently posts one of the highest workplace fatality rates in Canada, underscoring the risks in high-intensity industries.
British Columbia recorded 146 work-related deaths in 2024, down from 175 in 2023 and 181 in 2022, but still far too high.
Industry trends highlight where dangers are concentrated. In B.C., 2022 was the deadliest year in decades for construction, and both construction and manufacturing continue to be leading contributors to traumatic fatalities. Many of these jobs take place at remote or rugged worksites, where hazard identification and prevention measures often fall short.
High-Risk Industries and the Lone Worker Challenge
High-risk industries such as oil and gas, mining, forestry, agriculture, and construction dominate Canadian workplace safety statistics. Many of these jobs involve lone workers:
a heavy-equipment operator in a remote mine
a pipeline technician on patrol
a forestry worker in the backcountry
a farmer operating machinery alone
When something goes wrong in these scenarios, the consequences escalate quickly due to distance and isolation. Communication barriers and delays in emergency assistance are among the most significant dangers. An injury that might be minor in a populated workplace can become fatal when no one knows help is needed.
Real-world cases drive this home. In Alberta, a worker performing maintenance alone on a tank fell in and drowned, discovered only the next day, leading to OHS convictions. In another case, a lone night-shift worker suffered a fatal injury with no colleagues nearby to intervene.
The risks extend beyond accidents. Lone workers are also vulnerable to wildlife encounters, environmental hazards, and even violence from the public. To address this, employers should implement:
satellite communication devices
routine check-ins
“two-person rule” policies for high-risk jobs
connected-worker safety technology
The urgency is clear: the number of lone workers is projected to increase. Without safeguards, that growing population will remain highly vulnerable.
Failing to Protect Workers Can Shut a Business Down
The most devastating consequence of a weak safety program is human: workers injured, disabled, or killed. On average, about three Canadian workers die every day from work-related causes, with countless others suffering life-changing injuries.
But there are also severe business consequences:
Financial penalties: In Alberta, one insulation contractor was fined $210,000 after a worker fell through a roof without proper fall protection. Another company was fined $350,000 after a worker was crushed by heavy equipment; investigators found basic safeguards had not been enforced.
Criminal liability: Under the Westray Law (Criminal Code s.217.1), supervisors and executives can face criminal negligence charges and jail time when worker deaths result from negligence
Operational disruption: Stop-work orders from regulators can halt projects, creating costly delays and strained client relationships.
Reputation loss: Fatalities make headlines. Employees hesitate to work for unsafe companies, and clients will turn to more responsible partners.
Building an Effective Workplace Safety Program in Canada
The good news is that strong safety programs work. Provinces and companies with robust certification, training, enforcement, and safety culture consistently report lower incident rates. COR-certified firms, for example, have significantly fewer lost-time injuries than non-certified peers.
Key components of an effective workplace safety program include:
Comprehensive Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment Every job, task, and location must be evaluated, especially remote worksites. Controls such as satellite phones, fall-arrest anchors, and gas detectors are essential.
Training and Competency Workers must be trained not only for daily tasks but also for emergency response. Lone workers should receive first aid, self-rescue, and communication device training.
Enforcement and Accountability Supervisors must model safe behaviour and enforce rules. Regular audits and observations help catch unsafe practices before they become tragedies.
Connected Worker Safety Technology Tools like GPS tracking, check-in systems, man-down alarms, and panic buttons keep lone workers visible and protected. Quick emergency response can save lives.
Safety Culture and Leadership Commitment Embedding safety into daily operations is vital. Leaders must empower employees to raise concerns and continuously improve systems.
Strong safety programs reduce harm. Jurisdictions and companies that invest in certification, training, enforcement, and culture see fewer workplace fatalities and injuries.
Programs like COR deliver measurable results. Data shows these firms report significantly fewer lost-time injuries.
Every incident tells a story. Many tragic cases in 2024–2025 trace back to failures in hazard identification, training, or enforcement. These were preventable losses.
The lesson is clear: when workplace safety programs fail, Canadian workers pay the price. With robust measures in place, every worker (whether in Alberta’s oil fields, B.C.’s construction sites, or Saskatchewan’s farms) can return home safe after every shift.
References
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), 2022–2023 fatality and injury data.
Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), National Work Injury/Disease Statistics Program.
WorkSafeBC, 2022–2024 annual fatality reports.
Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board, 2024 fatality statistics.
Canadian Occupational Safety, Shane Mercer, April 2025.
The Tyee, 2024 reporting on national workplace deaths.
Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine, Alberta fatality fine cases, 2023–2024.
Institute for Work & Health (IWH) and IHSA, research on COR-certified firms and reduced injury rates.
Berg Insight and NSC/Work to Zero, projections on North American lone-worker safety technology adoption.
Criminal Code of Canada, s.217.1 (“Westray Law”) overview, Justice Canada.
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