Morguard's Outstanding Risk Management in Occupational Health and Safety Drives Recognition as One of Canada's Safest Employers

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - For the fifth consecutive year, Morguard was recognized as one of Canada's Safest Employers in the Retail and Services category by Canadian Occupational Safety. This notable achievement demonstrates Morguard's ongoing commitment to occupational health and safety as a risk management imperative, with a positive impact on employee wellbeing and property performance.

"Morguard recognizes the value a strong occupational health and safety culture brings to our business, employees, and stakeholders," said K. Rai Sahi, Chairman and CEO, Morguard Corporation. "Sound risk management is the bedrock of Morguard's operating principles for obvious reasons including business continuity and liability reduction. Moreover, it is fundamental to keeping our people healthy and safe, which is of upmost importance."

The continued success of Morguard's Occupational Health and Safety ("OHS") strategy is a result of the company's unique approach to developing processes in-house, which incorporates an organizational focus on employee empowerment and accountability as core values.

"Empowering employees across Canada to be responsible for health and safety is integral to upholding our reputation while keeping both employees and tenants safe in Morguard properties," said Sahi. "Morguard's focus on empowerment and accountability contribute to reduced business costs and service disruptions, in addition to improving employee retention and lowering rates of absenteeism – which is good for both our people and our business."

As Morguard manages more than three million work hours annually across more than 300 commercial and development projects in Canada, designing its health and safety strategy in-house enables the company to meet the demands of each individual property. This is realized by: 

• Providing employee training and maintaining communication across the entire organization about occupational health and safety (more than 1,000 employees completed close to 7,200 hours of training in 2016).
• Centralizing Occupational Health and Safety oversight within the Risk Management function and leveraging best practices across locations nationwide.
• Developing programs internally to allow for a greater level of control and customization per stakeholder, and to create clear lines of responsibility.
• Encouraging active employee and tenant participation through inclusive program planning, implementation and measurement.
• Identifying potential hazards and working collaboratively on solutions and risk mitigation.

Morguard senior management is actively involved in the implementation of programs supporting occupational health and safety. Senior management works collaboratively with Morguard's Risk Management team to ensure best practices are met, to ultimately build a healthier and more productive workforce, enhance business efficiency and deliver on property performance.

About Canada's Safest Employers Award
The Thomson Reuters Awards program recognizes Canadian organizations for outstanding performance in workplace health and safety. The Awards submissions were reviewed by an expert judging panel followed by an employee safety perception survey. Judging criteria was based on Leadership and Management Support, Employee Engagement, Communication, Innovation and Injury Statistics.

About Morguard 
Morguard Corporation (TSX: MRC) is a major North American real estate company.  It has extensive retail, office, industrial, multi–suite residential, and hotel holdings owned directly, or through its investment in Morguard REIT (TSX: MRT.UN), Morguard North American Residential REIT (TSX: MRG.UN) and Temple Hotels Inc. (TSX:TPH). Morguard also provides real estate management services to institutional and other investors. Morguard's owned and managed real estate portfolio is valued at $16.2 billion. Please visit www.morguard.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Morguard Corporation