Tinhorn Creek Vineyards received the Canada’s Safest Employers Award in the Hospitality category.
The award recognizes companies from across Canada with outstanding accomplishments in promoting the health and safety of their workers.
“We are truly honoured and proud to receive this accolade,” said Tinhorn Creek Vineyards’ CEO and president Sandra Oldfield. “The award is a huge accomplishment, our winery is small in comparison to others who have won this award in previous years and our business operations are wildly diverse.”
From vineyard farming to winemaking production, outdoor events, guided hikes and summer concerts, Tinhorn Creek welcomes some 60,000 visitors a year who want to see it all up close.
The company’s rigorous health and safety programs have to address broad concerns including things like over consumption, rattlesnake encounters, heat stroke and tractor safety.
“We live in the stunning Okanagan Valley of British Columbia; where land is expensive and so are the grapes but I can tell you unequivocally, it is our people that are our most valued resource” said Oldfield. “The health and safety of all of our employees is one of our top priorities and we wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication they show every single day.”
Earning Canada’s Safest Employers Award marks another important milestone for the winery and their aim to make a difference in the work place through putting people first. Oldfied’s hope is that Tinhorn Creek being recognized in this way will spur other wineries to think about their safety programs and make changes that benefit employees in the industry.