In 2024, Burlington Hydro made a strong commitment to share its safety values with the wider Burlington community. They did this through a variety of events and public programs focused on health, safety, and well-being.
Safety at Burlington Hydro goes beyond processes and procedures. It starts with a strong safety culture, where every decision and every action taken is carried out through the lens of how best to safeguard each other and ensure Burlington’s well-being. This can be seen in the fact they celebrated a major milestone in 2024: 1.5 million hours without a Lost Time Injury, marking 10 years without a serious workplace accident.
Building Safer & Resilient Communities
To spread these values further, Burlington Hydro teamed up with the Burlington Chamber of Commerce to host the Building Safer & Resilient Communities Summit. This one-day event brought approximately 200 business leaders to the Burlington Convention Centre to learn, share ideas, and connect.
Two keynote speakers led the conversation. Rob Ellis, Founder of MySafeWork, a not-for-profit that advocates for safety education and employee empowerment, stressed that young people want to work in places where their safety and well-being matter. “I’m telling young people today, look for great leaders who combine that with great workplace culture,” he said.
Dr. Joel Moody, Ontario’s Chief Prevention Officer, spoke about the province’s 2024 safety strategy. He asked business leaders to think ahead. “What does your business look like five, 10 years from now? How do we integrate safety into a strategy for lasting success,” said Moody.
A panel discussion, led by Jennifer Smith, EVP Corporate of Burlington Hydro, between the keynotes featured voices from across Burlington. Gerry Smallegange, President and CEO of Burlington Hydro talked about public safety and hydro infrastructure. John Hutter of King Paving shared the benefits of their CORE safety program. Dr. Cebert Adamson from Mohawk College spoke about training students in safety skills, and Burlington Fire Chief Karen Roche gave an overview of current safety trends in the city.
Strengthening Local Ties
Burlington Hydro also connects with the community through ongoing outreach. Their Power to be Safe Roadshow reached more than 6,000 elementary students in 2024 with interactive safety presentations. They also take part in the Our Youth at Work Program, a yearly presentation that helps high school students understand workplace safety before they enter the workforce. Employees also attend community-organized events, sharing safety tips with attendees.
Through local events and programs in Burlington’s schools, Burlington Hydro continues to share its safety knowledge and help build a stronger, safer city.
To learn more, visit Burlington Hydro’s Safety Portal.