North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

"Equip. Educate. Empower” is the theme of North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

Edmonton… May 1 to 7, 2005 is North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week. Activities across Alberta will focus the attention of employers, employees, and the general public on recognizing and eliminating hazards in the workplace to prevent injury and illness.

“The safety week theme of ‘equip, educate and empower’ is very appropriate,” said

Mike Cardinal, Minister of Human Resources and Employment (HR&E). “Safety is a shared responsibility and everyone needs to know how to do their part to keep workplaces safe.”

Members of the public can help make Alberta workplaces safer by sharing proven ideas that have prevented injury or illness with local organizing committees. These tips on safety will be distributed to Albertans at events and at work. It may be just what is needed to save someone’s life.

The Work Safe Alberta initiative has achieved significant results in enhancing workplace safety in Alberta over the past few years. HR&E’s partnership with industry and labour has contributed to 10,000 fewer injuries each year in the province through such activities as:

* increased inspections of worksites across Alberta to ensure compliance with safety requirements * educating employers and workers about how to work safely * acting as a partner in the Partners in Injury Reduction financial rebate program, along with WCB-Alberta, for employers who have safety Certificates of Recognition * formally recognizing employers who are Best Safety Performers * formally recognizing people or groups for safety innovations

For event and contact information visit the NAOSH web site: www.naosh.org

– 30 – Media enquiries may be directed to:

Chris Chodan, Communications Alberta Human Resources and Employment (780) 427-5585

OR

Reinhard Dunse Provincial NAOSH Chair (780) 922-5809

Categories: Occupational-Health-and-Safety