The vision of having zero preventable injuries at work was the message being shared during the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce's luncheon last Thursday.

The HDCC brought in Gord Moker, the Chief Executive Officer for Safe Saskatchewan Inc.

"We've seen the injury rates since 2010 come down by almost 30 percent. That is phenomenal, yes we have more work to do but we need to recognize that that's been done in collaboration. We've all come together around the belief that the only acceptable number of injuries is zero."

That's the philosophy behind 'Mission:Zero.'

Moker focused his address on the many financial implications that can cripple a business if an injury or death occurs, one table he used showed one company could lose upwards of $2.7 million for one accident. Broken down even further, Moker said preventable injuries cost the Humboldt economy $6.5 million each year.

Financial benefits are just one trickle down effect from injuries or fatalities. Moker pointed to the health care system and what could happen if 289 people didn't have to visit a hospital emergency room after having a "preventable" accident.

"I dream of a vision of an injury free Saskatchewan, we all do," Moker added. "I think about how much more time and care could be provided once injuries aren't putting pressure on our health care system. Treatment diagnosis, surgery for cancer, heart disease, stroke, other diseases and disorders."

He said of those 289 people a day, a quarter are injured at work, three quarters of them at home or otherwise. That translates into 26 needing to be hospitalized, six of those will suffer a permanent disability, one or two will succumb to their wounds.

Humboldt has been designated as a 'safe community' since 2005, Moker applauded that heavily during the lunch hour event. He particularity appreciated the 30 kilometre an hour speed limit in school zones. It's initiatives such as that that Moker hopes to build on at a future meeting with the Chamber and Safe Communities Humboldt & Area.

"This is a partnership to bring leaders together and say ok, how can we actually work together and extend health and safety even to a greater degree beyond the workplace. Even look at how we can support our children and youth in learning to prevent injuries in their lives."

That is scheduled for May 10th.

You can hear much more from Moker below who spoke to Bolt FM's Clark Stork following the luncheon.