What Actsafe Safety Association does

Actsafe Safety Association is a not-for-profit health and safety association incorporated in British Columbia that provides safety training, education, and advisory services exclusively to BC's arts and entertainment industries. The organization serves motion picture and television production workers, performing arts and live event personnel, and the unions and guilds that represent them, including DGC BC, IATSE 891, ICG 669, Teamsters 155, UBCP/ACTRA, CAEA, and others. Actsafe is governed by industry representatives from employers and workers and is funded by the industries it governs.

The core technology is the STAR System (Safety Training and Records), a cloud-based learning management system that administers, delivers, tracks, and reports online and instructor-led training, and serves as a permanent repository for training records. The STAR system includes a public training records search database that allows employers and unions to verify worker certifications. Training is delivered through self-paced online courses, instructor-led virtual sessions, and in-person practical assessments at the Burnaby headquarters and partner locations in Coquitlam, Langley, and Cassidy. Products and services include a course catalog (WHMIS 2025, Fall Protection, MPIO, Motion Picture Safety Awareness, LPEC, firearms safety, TDG), a safety products e-commerce store, an AED rental program, OHS consulting and gap analysis, and a training bursary program (Actsafe Gives Back).

Monetization combines low per-course transaction fees, e-commerce sales of safety gear, AED rentals, and government/industry partnership funding for free courses. Distribution is via the self-serve STAR LMS, direct enterprise sales (private/group training), and union partnership channels where training is required for membership. In March 2024, Motion Picture Safety Awareness became mandatory for most union membership, effectively creating forced-recurring demand. The company has no parent, no subsidiaries, and is entirely BC-domiciled.

Name

Actsafe Safety Association

Legal name

Actsafe Safety Association

Website

https://actsafe.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Actsafe Safety Association is a BC not-for-profit health and safety association delivering mandatory, industry-specific safety training, OHS consulting, and resources to motion picture, performing arts, and live event workers through its STAR System LMS and union partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Occupational Health and Safety Training

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Occupational Health & Safety (EHS) Programs & Training (OSHA-style) (EDAEAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Working at Heights, Fall Protection & Scaffolding (EDABAEAH), Fire Safety Compliance, Risk Assessments & Training (Code Consulting) (IMAIAJAL)

Keywords

• Occupational safety training
• Arts entertainment safety
• Workplace health safety
• OHS consulting services
• Safety training courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Burnaby

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Course and Workshop Fees: Revenue from paid safety training courses and workshops offered to arts and entertainment industry workers. Some courses are free (funded by government/industry partnerships) while specialized courses generate fees. Courses include WHMIS 2025, Fall Protection, Motion Picture Safety Awareness, and more.
2. Safety Products Online Store: E-commerce sales of safety gear including first aid kits, respiratory masks, safety goggles, and other equipment for film sets, backstage, and live events.
3. Training Bursaries Program: Actsafe Gives Back program provides free training packages to workers facing financial hardships, funded through government initiatives and industry partnerships.
4. AED Rental Program: Automated External Defibrillator rental services for productions and venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Actsafe Safety Association is a not-for-profit health and safety association that provides mandatory and specialized safety training courses, OHS consulting and gap analysis, advisory services, AED rental, and safety products for British Columbia's motion picture and performing arts industries. It develops and delivers industry-recognized certifications (such as Motion Picture Safety Awareness, MPIO, Fall Protection, WHMIS, LPEC, Firearms Safety) via its STAR System Learning Management System, with course registration fulfilled online, through virtual facilitated sessions, and via in-person practical assessments. The association is funded by and governed by the industries it serves.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STAR (Safety Training and Records): Actsafe's Learning Management System (LMS) used to administer, deliver, track and report online courses and instructor-led training. It serves as a repository to store and organize training material, manage training assignments and requirements, monitor learner progress, and provide reporting and analytics.

Products and services

• Motion Picture Safety Awareness Course Free, mandatory 5-hour self-paced online safety course for BC motion picture industry workers required for union membership with DGC BC, ICG 669, IATSE 891, Teamsters 155. Certificate has no expiration.
• Fall Protection Training Combined online theory (4.5 hours) and in-person practical assessment (30 minutes) for working at heights in film and live events. Priced at $110 + GST with recertification recommended every 3 years. Available at Burnaby, Coquitlam, Langley, and Cassidy training locations.
• WHMIS 2025 Course 2-hour online hazardous materials safety training for arts and entertainment workers. Priced at $29.99 + GST with 80% passing score required. Annual update recommended; certificate has no expiration.
• MPIO - Motion Picture Industry Orientation and Exam Comprehensive mandatory orientation for working on film sets including e-learning module, 4-hour facilitated virtual session, and online exam. Priced at $155 + GST with 80% passing score required. Developed in partnership with Creative BC, Screen BC, and industry labour organizations.
• LPEC - Live Performance Electrical Certification Exam Self-paced 1.25-hour online certification exam for live performance electrical workers. Priced at $30 + GST. Requires 800 hours documented practical experience and 70% passing score.
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Course Online training course for the safe transportation of dangerous goods. Priced at $34.99 + GST. Certificate valid for 3 years with 80% passing score required.
• Firearms Safety Courses Specialized firearms safety courses for entertainment industry, including General Crew and Performer Firearms Safety (4-hour, $105 + GST) and Props Firearms Safety (8-hour). Facilitated by experienced motion picture armorers through third-party provider Felcan Enterprises.
• OHS Gap Analysis and Consulting Occupational health and safety consulting service including gap analysis and Build Your Safety Program advisory for employers and productions in BC's arts and entertainment industries.
• AED Rental Program Rental service for Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units for use on productions, at venues, and during live events.
• Safety Products Online Store E-commerce retail of safety products including first aid kits, respiratory masks, safety goggles, and other equipment for film sets, backstage, and live events.
• MySDS Library Online Safety Data Sheet database and management tool accessible via web portal on mobile or desktop, launched in partnership with IATSE 891.
• Spray Booth Decision-Making Tool Interactive decision-making tool launched in partnership with IATSE 891 to help productions determine what type of spray booth is required when spraying chemicals on set.
• Private/Group Training Customized private training sessions for large groups or on-site training for production crews, tailored to organizational needs. Accessible via phone 604-733-4682 or email [email protected].
• Actsafe Gives Back Training Bursaries Free training package program offering access to four essential safety training packages for arts and entertainment workers facing financial hardships, funded through government initiatives and industry partnerships.
• COVID-19 Support Program COVID-19 Compliance Officer Mentorship and Onsite Iridia COVID-19 Compliance Officer services offered at discounted rates for Actsafe members, in partnership with Iridia Medical.
• Hearing Testing and Respirator Fit Testing Specialized occupational health testing services including hearing testing and respirator fit testing for arts and entertainment workers.

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SafetyLine Lone WorkercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActsafe partnered with SafetyLine Lone Worker to offer Actsafe members an additional 50% off select services. SafetyLine is an affordable and automated worker monitoring tool designed to protect team members working alone, in isolation, or in potentially dangerous situations. This partnership supports Actsafe's mission to keep workers safe in BC's arts and entertainment industries.
• Iridia MedicalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActsafe partnered with Iridia Medical to bring their COVID-19 Support Program to Actsafe's members at a special discounted rate. Programs include COVID-19 Compliance Officer Mentorship and Onsite Iridia COVID-19 Compliance Officer services to support productions during the pandemic.
• Felcan EnterprisescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFelcan Enterprises developed and designed Actsafe's Firearms Safety courses specifically for the entertainment industry. The courses include General Crew and Performer Firearms Safety (4-hour) and Props Firearms Safety (8-hour). These specialized courses are facilitated by experienced motion picture armorers providing real-life experience and expertise.
• Screen BC (formerly MPPIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped in partnership between Creative BC, Screen BC, and industry labour organizations, the Motion Picture Industry Orientation (MPIO) course provides comprehensive mandatory orientation for working on film sets. This partnership ensures the course reflects industry values, beliefs, and current practices.
• Creative BCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Screen BC and industry labour organizations to develop the MPIO course for motion picture industry orientation and entry requirements.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Vector Solutions: Large US-based provider of online safety, compliance, and training software for high-risk industries; an emerging threat/competitor to niche safety associations through scalable digital training delivery.
• WorkSafeBC: BC's primary workers' compensation and workplace safety regulator; while broader than Actsafe's arts/entertainment focus, it is the dominant provincial safety body that sets the regulatory framework Actsafe operates within.
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): Canadian national body for occupational health and safety information, training, and resources; a broad incumbent that overlaps with Actsafe's training/information offering but is not specialized in arts/entertainment.

Direct peers

• Energy Safety Canada (formerly Enform): Canada's not-for-profit safety association for the oil and gas industry; operates the same industry-funded, vertically-specialized safety training model as Actsafe at a national scale.
• Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA): Ontario's not-for-profit health and safety association for construction and infrastructure; closely comparable in funding model, training delivery, and the role of being a designated industry safety body.
• BC Forest Safety Council: BC's industry-funded safety association for forestry; shares Actsafe's not-for-profit, industry-governed model and delivers mandatory safety training, certification, and resources tailored to a specific BC sector.
• AgSafe: BC's not-for-profit health and safety association dedicated exclusively to agriculture; operates under a near-identical model to Actsafe — industry-funded, sector-specific, providing mandatory training and resources to a defined BC vertical.

Others

• SafetyLine: Provider of lone-worker monitoring services and an active Actsafe partner; comparable in being a workplace safety technology provider serving similar BC-based customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/actsafe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Actsafe Safety Association