This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

WorkSafeBC

banner image

Initiatives for Small Business

If you would like to work with WorkSafeBC on health and safety issues, or for more information about health and safety initiatives for Small Business, contact the Small Business Service Centre at .

About StartSafe

What is StartSafe?
StartSafe is a strategy to provide the most useful information to small businesses, tailored to meet specific health and safety concern of various industries.

Preliminary research data indicates that on average, new businesses that fail after 1 year of business, have an injury rate 2 - 3 times higher than those that last 5 or more years, no matter what the industry.

With this data we also know that most new businesses are small. That is why the Small Business Service Centre (SBSC) is currently conducting pilot project to determine the most effective way to deliver StartSafe materials to them.

Will you be contacting ALL new registrants?
At this time, we are still in the process to determining the most cost-effective and efficient way to contact as many registrants as possible. In the first pilot we contacted employers selected by random by phone, fax, mail and email. Based on the cost per contact and number of people that signed-up, in our next phase we contacted those employers in industries (CUs) that had higher injury rates than the provincial average. Based on the much higher sign-up rate of this approach, it is likely that in 2004 we will only target those new registrants that are in CUs with injury rates higher than the provincial average. We will then look at expanding this project to all new registrants.

What materials will be sent?
H&S materials will be sent by either e-mail or fax, as determined by the employer. We are only mailing out a one-time general starter kit (cover letter with contact info, 7 steps, summary of regs, SB Pamphlet) to those how do not want to register for email or fax materials.

Types of materials will depend on which CUs they have been registered in. The maximum will be 2 pages of either prevention information, checklists, information on posters and stickers and how order, etc.

How can I participate?
The Small Business Service Centre will be contacting new companies after they register with the WorkSafeBC, but individual companies can also self-register:

  • By phone: (604) 233-4013, or 1-888-261-7233, local 4013
  • Online

Where can you get more information?
You can call the number number above or email us at



You can return to the Top of this page