May 11, 2012

Occupational health and safety week across North America

OTTAWA

This week’s North American Occupational Safety and Health Week aims to remind people that safer workplaces must remain a priority.

“We must always strive for the answers and execute the solutions that will make things safer for ourselves, our families, our organizations and our communities,” said Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) president Peter Sturm in a statement.

NAOSH Week is an annual initiative led by the CSSE.  Together with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Threads of Life, and in association with the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

Focus is given to the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace and raising understanding and awareness of safety and health issues. 

“Eliminating fatalities and injuries from the workplace continues to be an ongoing mandate for Canadians. In order to help minimize the risks, we need to constantly create awareness of these issues throughout our daily routines at work, at home and in our communities,” says Steve Horvath, President and CEO of the CCOHS.

Every year, Threads of Life, a charity that supports families affected by a workplace fatality or occupational disease, kicks off NOASH Week with Steps for Life, an annual five-kilometre walk to raise awareness for workplace safety.

It is expected that more than 5,000 Canadians will have walked in this year’s Steps of Life event in more than 30 communities, which ran on May 6 with some happening until May 12.

From April 29 to May 26, donation boxes will be at more than 620 LCBO stores across Ontario collecting change for Threads of Life.

In 2012, the program will benefit 28 provincial, as well as numerous local charities.

DCN NEWS SERVICES

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