Let’s jump right in—thinking about workplace safety might feel like drawing up more to-dos on your plate. But here’s a truth that might surprise you: investing in Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) isn't just about being “nice” or “compliant”—it’s a smart business move. For Canadian businesses, it's legit profit through prevention. Here’s how the math, the momentum, and the real-world payoff line up.
First off, the numbers. In Ontario, research from the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) calculated OH&S investments across sectors—goods-producing industries average about CAD 2,417 per employee annually; service sectors, about CAD 847; overall roughly CAD 1,303 per employee per year (iwh.on.ca).
Even better? The return is solid. IWH found that for each dollar invested in prevention, you get about $2.20 back—so a 120% ROI (iwh.on.ca). Fellow surveys back this up: U.S. respondents said $2 per $1 invested, European employers estimated similar numbers (iwh.on.ca).
A more recent Canadian study from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) shows ROI ranged from 24% to 114%, depending on the sector (wsps.ca). Even at the low end, that’s a 24% return—amazing compared to many investments.
Bottom line: OH&S in Canada isn’t just checking a box—it’s cash‑positive.
Yeah, money matters. But we also need to think broader:
Put it this way: safety isn’t just overhead—it’s fuel for better operations and culture.
Canada’s OH&S laws aren’t suggestions—they’re must‑dos. Especially in provinces like Ontario, the OH&S Act says employers must take “every precaution reasonable under the circumstances” to protect workers—“bodily harm” is broadly defined, covering even mental discomfort (uml.edu).
Legal experts (like Dr. Martin Shain) argue that this extends to psychosocial hazards—mental stress, emotional strain—so employers have a proactive duty to eliminate foreseeable harm (uml.edu).
So yeah—ensuring OH&S covers your legal backside too.
Let’s bring it up to 2025. WSPS just published a piece titled “The ROI of OHS” explaining how investments in training, PPE, supervision, and safety systems led to 24%–114% ROI (ohscanada.com, wsps.ca).
They emphasize real risks: one serious incident—like a forklift injury—can mess up production, morale, your brand, and open the floodgates to fines and liability (wsps.ca).
Investing intelligently means more than buying PPE. WSPS maps out a smart playbook:
Do this consistently, and you not only prevent injuries—you build a resilient, smooth-running operation.
Moving upstream: there’s a concept called Prevention through Design (PtD). Instead of reacting to hazards, it builds them out during design phases. Think safe workstations, safe machinery layouts, safe vehicle routes from the blueprint up (wsps.ca, Wikipedia).
Adding that layer shifts prevention earlier—less reactive, more built-in.
Also, a full-fledged Occupational Safety Management System (OSMS) helps by baking safety into your business process—addressing risk planning, communication, audits, corrective action, continuous improvement—often following a PDCA (Plan–Do–Check–Act) approach (Wikipedia).
Consider this: a lost-time injury costing $59,000 is like missing out on $590,000 in sales if your profit margin is just 10%—or nearly a million at 6% margin (mtpinnacle.com). Safety actually is profit protection.
And mental health matters: ABSENTEEISM from stress, lost productivity from mental illness—cost Canada billions. Occupational health services can cut illness/injury rates by 10–50% and return up to $3–$5 per $1 invested (hrreporter.com).
Alright—you’re convinced prevention pays. How does Calgary Safety Consultants help?
Local, laser-focused expertise: Based in Calgary, they understand Alberta’s OH&S rules and industries.
Full-spectrum support:
In short: Calgary Safety Consultants turn safety investments into streamlined systems that protect your people and your bottom line.
Reason | Why It Counts |
|---|---|
Strong ROI numbers | 24%–114% returns in Canada, $2.20 per $1 in Ontario |
Legal duty & due diligence | Covers physical + psychological safety |
Prevention through design/system | Stops trouble before it starts |
Big costs saved | $59k injuries → near $600k in lost sales; stress risk also major |
Calgary Safety Consultants | Local partner to build, train, and sustain OH&S systems |
Here’s the wrap-up: Investing in OH&S is investing in your company's future. It mitigates risk, boosts morale, ensures compliance, and acts like a buffer against financial or reputational hits. Canadian data makes the case crystal clear.
For Calgary-based businesses, teaming up with Calgary Safety Consultants gives you local guidance, endpoints-to-start safety strategy, and the people smarts to make OH&S feel doable and profitable.
If you want help shaping your safety culture into a value driver—or need help thinking through which steps to start first—just ask. Happy to dive deeper!
Here’s the wrap-up: Investing in OH&S is investing in your company's future. It mitigates risk, boosts morale, ensures compliance, and acts like a buffer against financial or reputational hits. Canadian data makes the case crystal clear.
For Calgary-based businesses, teaming up with Calgary Safety Consultants gives you local guidance, endpoints-to-start safety strategy, and the people smarts to make OH&S feel doable and profitable.
If you want help shaping your safety culture into a value driver—or need help thinking through which steps to start first—just ask. Happy to dive deeper!
Connect with us here and let us help you improve your OH&S practices.
1. Institute for Work & Health (IWH). Estimating financial return on employers’ investments in prevention of work injuries in Ontario. Retrieved from: https://www.iwh.on.ca/plain-language-summaries/estimating-financial-return-on-employers-investments-in-prevention-of-work-injuries-in-ontario
2. Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS). Safety ROI: How investing in OHS creates measurable business value. Retrieved from: https://www.wsps.ca/resource-hub/articles/safety-roi
3. OHS Canada. Unlocking business potential: The link between workplace safety, the bottom line and employee retention. Retrieved from: https://www.ohscanada.com/features/unlocking-business-potential-the-link-between-workplace-safety-the-bottom-line-and-employee-retention
4. Canadian Occupational Safety (The Safety Mag). Making the business case for workplace health and safety. Retrieved from: https://www.thesafetymag.com/ca/news/general/making-the-business-case-for-workplace-health-and-safety/408956
5. University of Massachusetts Lowell. Martin Shain, J.D. The Business Case for a Healthy Workplace. Retrieved from: https://www.uml.edu/docs/fd_business_case_healthy_workplace_tcm18-42671.pdf
6. Wikipedia. Prevention through Design. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevention_through_design
7. Wikipedia. Safety management system. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_management_system
8. MTPinnacle. The Business Case for Safety and Health. Retrieved from: https://www.mtpinnacle.com/pdfs/Biz.pdf
9. Canadian HR Reporter. Occupational health services: A supportive business case. Retrieved from: https://www.hrreporter.com/focus-areas/safety/occupational-health-services-a-supportive-business-case/302058
Because a safer workplace starts with smarter policy. Let's build it together.
OH&S protects workers, ensures legal compliance, and directly improves profitability by reducing injuries, absenteeism, and turnover.
Canadian studies show that every $1 invested in OH&S returns between $2.00 and $2.20, with ROI ranging from 24% to 114% depending on the sector.
A strong safety culture boosts employee engagement, morale, productivity, and retention while reducing operational disruptions and reputational risks.
Calgary Safety Consultants is here to help you ensure compliance, enhance safety, and streamline your OH&S program. Don’t wait—fill out the form, and we’ll connect with you to discuss how we can support your business. Let’s get started!
Calgary Safety Consultants delivers game-changing COR Audits and OH&S consulting designed to keep your business safe, compliant, and accident-free. With 30+ years of expertise in high-risk industries like oil & gas, construction, and manufacturing, we understand the unique challenges you face. We offer tailored safety solutions that not only meet regulatory standards but also reduce operational risks and protect your workforce. From conducting thorough safety audits to implementing comprehensive safety management systems, we ensure your team is fully supported. Our hands-on, collaborative approach means we're with you every step of the way, helping you achieve a safer, more efficient workplace. Let us handle the heavy lifting so your team stays protected, and your business thrives!
