Promote Workplace Health & Safety during NAOSH Week

The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is a continent-wide event occurring May 6-12, 2012 that spans three countries: Canada, USA and Mexico. NAOSH Week presents an excellent opportunity to focus, reinforce and strengthen commitment to occupational heath and safety, therefore preventing injury and illness in the workplace. The theme for 2012 is: Safety & Health: A Commitment for Life! Making It Work.

Between 2000 and 2009, 1,637,470 people were injured or became ill on the job in BC. Within the four main sectors of the BC tourism industry (hotels, ski hills, restaurants and pubs, bars, lounges and nightclubs), 3,300 workplace injuries were reported in 2009 - that is 3,300 too many.

Why should you take part in NAOSH Week activities?

Participation and involvement in NAOSH Week has been shown to:

• improve attitudes towards safety
• increaser the understanding of the importance of occupational health & safety
• foster a safety-minded culture
• assist in team-building, and improve communication between employees, safety committees and safety professionals

The success of NAOSH Week is rooted in a community-based approach. Across the country, NAOSH Week events and activities are coordinated by local, provincial and/or regional committees that are comprised primarily of volunteers, who share a focus and vision of safer workplaces and communities. Partnerships with government, businesses, suppliers, CSSE Chapters, community health organizations and other safety groups provide the support, resources and network necessary to manage the NAOSH Week plans.

How can you get involved?

To support NAOSH Week, consider participating in the following:

• Become an official "Supporting Member" of BC's NAOSH Week
• Organize activities within your workplace
• Attend a local event
• Post a poster in your workplace
• Submit an application for NAOSH Week awards
• Submit an application for BC's CSSE Achievement Recognition Awards
• Order NAOSH promotional products
• Donate to Threads of Life, a workplace tragedy family support association or participate in Steps for Life 2012, a fundraising event for Threads for Life
• Become a sponsor in the national NAOSH Week Champion Program
• Attend the BC NAOSH Week Launch Event

Additional NAOSH Week Resources

To help prepare for NAOSH Week, also check out the following resources:

• NAOSH Week - Resource Guide
• NAOSH Week – BC Planning guide
• NAOSH Week – BC Brochure
• Press Kit
• NAOSH Week - Branding Guide
• NAOSH Week Video - Making It Work
• NAOSH Week Proclamation Video - NAOSH Week is proclaimed each year by the BC Legislature. In 2012, the formal proclamation enactment document travelled across the province, starting its journey at the Legislature in Victoria through the six regions and ended its trek in Vancouver at the launch event on May 7, 2012.

NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE).  More information about NAOSH Week can be found at www.naosh.ca or the CSSE landing page or by contacting the office at (416) 646-1600 or naosh@csse.org. You can also contact the following BC NAOSH Week Steering Committee members:

Trina Wright, Program Manager, Industry Health & Safety at go2, Treasurer, BC NAOSH Week Board of Directors
twright@go2hr.ca