Safe worker award
2026 Safe Worker Award
The finalists for the 2026 Safe Worker Award are:
- Glen Green of IATSE Local 295
- Paige Schneider of Hopes Home Incorporated
- Matthew Walker of City of Melville
Matthew Walker
Matthew Walker, an operator with the City of Melville, is the 2026 Safe Worker Award winner.
Walker earned recognition for his proactive approach to identifying hazards and improving everyday work. In his role, he helps maintain water and sewer lines and supports a range of public works activities, from street sanding and snow removal to equipment operation and repairs. He is known for speaking up about safety concerns, completing equipment inspections and hazard assessments and working with co-workers to find safer ways to complete tasks.
One example involved identifying that a tool used in street sanding created unnecessary physical strain. Walker helped develop a lighter version that reduced ergonomic hazards by more than 50 per cent and improved efficiency, making the task safer and easier for workers of different sizes and strengths. He later shared the improvement during a safety meeting so others could adopt the safer option.
“Being proactive with safety means recognizing hazards and communicating them to your co-workers so everyone is aware,” said Walker. “I choose to work safe so I can go home at the end of the day and so can my co-workers and the public around us.”
Safe Worker Award committee members
Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board
Saskatchewan Safety Council
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour
