Ontario appoints chief prevention officer
September 2, 2011
By Manufacturing AUTOMATION
The Ontario government has named George Gritziotis as the province’s first chief prevention officer.
As chief prevention officer, Gritziotis will be responsible for developing a provincial occupational health and safety strategy; co-ordinating and aligning Ontario’s workplace health and safety prevention system; and providing advice on the prevention of workplace injuries and occupational diseases.
The creation of the chief prevention officer was one of the key recommendations in a December 2010 report from an expert panel mandated to review Ontario’s workplace health and safety system.
“Ontario’s workplaces continue to be among the safest in Canada, but we can always do better. Mr. Gritziotis’ proven skill and vast experience will greatly benefit workers and employers. The appointment of our first chief prevention officer is another step towards healthier and safer workplaces for Ontarians,” said Charles Sousa, Minister of Labour.
Gritziotis has played an integral role in facilitating collaboration and partnerships, and advancing workplace safety and worker training, and stakeholder engagement among a wide range of industry and government organizations. Since 2001, he has served as founding executive director of the Construction Sector Council, a national organization committed to developing a highly skilled workforce that will support the human resource needs of Canada’s construction industry. Gritziotis holds an MBA from the University of Ottawa. He also has an economics degree from Concordia University.
“I am honoured and look forward to working together with our health and safety partners and business, labour and other partners to make Ontario workplaces safer,” Gritziotis said.
