March 5, 2021
TORONTO – Today, the Ontario General Contractors Association presented Rob Ellis with the Doug Chalmers Award at Recognition Day, the first day of the three-part OGCA and IHSA Annual Leadership Conference.
Rob Ellis became an outspoken advocate for health, safety, and wellness in the workplace after his son’s death in 1999. Rob has developed international partnerships with companies dedicated to becoming champion employers. His work with young people, parents, and businesses, through projects like the Courageous Canucks Safety Program, has been widely publicized across Canada and the United States. He is regularly sought after to participate in international events as a keynote speaker.
Rob Ellis and his organization, MySafeWork, were the inspiration for the League of Champions. He challenged construction leaders to make a personal commitment to a safe workplace. This commitment then inspired industry associations, leaders, professionals, tradespersons, and students to demand excellence in workplace safety.
“The campaign challenged “leaders to lead” and has subsequently spread through the construction industry with more than 60 contractors making the commitment and demonstrating it through their work with the League of Champions,” said Giovanni Cautillo, President of the OGCA. “His work partnering with industry leaders to promote positive change has contributed to our industry’s cultural shift towards an increased awareness in the importance of health, safety, and wellness for all workers.”
The Doug Chalmers Award for Safety is presented annually by the OGCA to an Individual or a Group, a member company or an Association that has made significant contributions to advancing occupational health and safety in the construction industry.
The award is named after former Chairman of the Board, Doug Chalmers. Doug championed workplace safety when few recognized its importance and has been a tireless advocate for over 30 years. Safety continues to be a strategic priority for OGCA and the industry because of Doug’s continuing dedication.
For more information about the OGCA’s commitment to health and safety, please visit: https://ogca.ca/
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Media Contact:
Erich Schmidt
416-939-4749
erich@ogca.wpengine.com