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> 2007 Safety Group Application Form
Fax to RCC at (866) 427-4714 before Friday, January 12, 2007.

Meeting Your Needs
The Safety Groups Program was designed to encourage participants to achieve their own health and safety objectives, as well as those of the group. At the start of the year, member companies select five safety elements which they will initiate or improve upon from a list provided by the WSIB. For example, one of the elements might be to develop a Health and Safety Policy. Each element should be able to fit within your own company's goals and objectives in creating a safe work environment.

Networking and Sharing Best Practices
The greatest advantage of The Safety Groups Program is the opportunity to network with peers in your own industry and share best practices. RCC's Retail Safety Group is made up of retailers ranging in size and format from independent store owners to small chains, to national retailers and franchise owners.

Mentoring — Retail Council of Canada's Role
RCC's role as program sponsor is to lead and co-ordinate the group's activities. Working in collaboration with the WSIB and the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA), RCC is available to support and provide guidance to members - both in a group setting and one-on-one. Here's how we help you:

• Invite experts to speak on key elements at RCC's Retail Safety Group meetings;
• Deliver experts in the field to speak at special health and safety sessions during RCC conferences;
• Co-ordinate periodic education/networking events to bring retailers from outside the group into the mix to share and learn;
• Provide an expert consultant (former WSIB leader) to meet with your staff to review your progress, assist with development and more.

WSIB Rebate on Premiums
In addition to receiving the benefit of networking with peers and the added focus on improving your program and reducing lost time injuries, the RCC's Retail Safety Group is eligible for a rebate based on the entire group's success in implementing their safety elements and meeting performance outcomes. Although rebates are not guaranteed, in the last completed program year, all participating safety groups averaged 4% of their WSIB premium (based on 2004 stats).

Note: Rebates are in addition to refunds or surcharges issued under regular WSIB experience rating programs, based on individual experience.

BONUS SAVINGS: In addition to a potential rebate, participants have reported additional savings as a result of improved health and safety programs, which reduced:

• Lost time Injuries (LTI)
• Legal Fees
• PR costs to repair public image
• and more!

Who Can Participate in RCC's Retail Safety Group?

• You must be a retailer operating in Ontario.
• You must have commitment from the owner/senior management.
• You must be in good standing with the WSIB.

Mandatory Components of Program
When you agree to join RCC's Retail Safety Group, you agree to complete the following mandatory components in order to be eligible for the financial rebate:

• Participate in at least three scheduled meetings throughout the year.
• Complete baseline and year-end needs assessments on your company's health and safety program strengths and weaknesses
• Develop and implement an action plan of safety elements.
• Submit a year-end achievement report documenting your accomplishments and agree to participate in a random spot check
• Keep RCC informed of progress and submit all progress reports in a timely manner.

Cost to Participate
Group participants are charged a fee by RCC, based on the total number of stores (Ontario locations) covered under your WSIB account. The fee per store is $150 for RCC members, $250 for non-members ( up to a maximum of $ 12,000 ) plus GST and is payable in January. The fee covers the administration of the program by RCC, including the contracting of a Health and Safety expert.

Testimonials

"The RCC Safety Group has provided us with an opportunity to build relationships with other leaders in retail and to share and learn best practices from them that are specific to our industry. In addition, belonging to a Safety Group has enabled us to focus on our core Health and Safety initiatives and to receive support not only from experts such as the OSSA but also from workshops delivered by the WSIB among others. This is an experience that we would recommend to anyone wishing to improve their health and safety program."

— Susan Muigai, Director of Risk Management, Wal-Mart

"The RCC Safety Group provides fantastic networking opportunities for the sharing of health and safety best practices."

— Jay Wilson, Manager Health and Safety, The Beer Store

"The RCC Safety Group provides an invaluable opportunity for us to learn from industry peers what works for them in health and safety programming. The meetings are an excellent opportunity for us to build a solid network with which we can share information and strategies that can be directly applied to our business operations."

— Ruth Park, Manager Human Resources
Mastermind Educational Technologies Inc.

If your company is committed to improving health and safety and is interested in joining RCC's Retail Safety Group, call 1-888-373-8245 today.

RCC would like to thank the following partners for their support:

*Currently, RCC's Retail Safety Group Program is only open to retailers who have stores in Ontario, as the program is sanctioned under WSIB in Ontario.