may 2014

naosh week
May 4-10, 2014

  

North American Occupation Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week is here, and the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) are celebrating! The goal of NAOSH Week is to focus employers, workers, partners, and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community. The theme this year is Make Safety a Habit.

  

History

 

Since the 1997 launch of the NAOSH Week initiative, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) continues to work towards the goals of:

  • Increasing the understanding of the benefits of investing in occupational health and safety;
  • Raising awareness of the role and contribution of safety and health professionals; and
  • Reducing workplace injuries and illness by encouraging new health and safety activities and interest in NAOSH Week.

Originally marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico, NAOSH Week evolved into an annual event that touches all aspects of work and community. From the largest multinational employer, to individual business operators, to community organizations, everyone celebrates NAOSH Week.

 

To continue its success, NAOSH Week requires the help and support of many volunteers, organizations, partners, and sponsors. WSCC has been on board since the beginning, and we're excited to continue our tradition of bringing great safety activities and awareness to both the Northwest Territories and Nunavut!

 

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH PROFESSIONAL DAY

 

Established in 2006 by the American Society of Safety Engineers, Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day is celebrated this year on Wednesday, May 7.

 

Mark this date in your calendar, and remember to say thank you and show your support to all the health and safety people who help ensure you get home safely every day. They work tirelessly and diligently to make sure safety is a priority where you work, and deserve recognition for making a difference in the lives of all workers. It takes years of education, training, experience, and skill development to become a safety professional.

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS

 

Iqaluit

To kick-off NAOSH Week's festivities, our Iqaluit office is hosting the Safety Game Show! Held on Monday, May 5, at the Francophone Centre, company teams of four compete to find out who has the best safety knowledge. Lunch begins at noon, courtesy of Northern Territories Federation of Labour (NTFL). Everyone is welcome to attend! The Safety Game Show starts at 1pm, so enjoy your lunch and stay to watch the participants compete.

 

On Tuesday, May 6, join the WSCC as we partner with the Iqaluit Public Library to present a special safety-themed Story Time at 10:30am! We invite children age 2-5 to hear special safety-themed stories, and talk about being safe.

 

Inuvik

NAOSH Week continues in Inuvik with a special Safety Forum on Tuesday, May 6 at the Mackenzie Inn at 8am. Join the WSCC and special guest speakers Jim Sawkins (Inuvik Fire Chief) and Brad Driscoll (General Manager, Inuvik Gas Ltd.) as they lead a talk about the importance of safety. Breakfast is provided by NTFL, and all guests receive participant gift bags, as well as an entry into a raffle for a special safety prize!

 

Yellowknife

WSCC concludes NAOSH Week in Yellowknife, at Safety Street, on Friday, May 9. Changing location for the first time in many years, we're bringing our activity indoors to the lower level of Centre Square Mall. Taking place from 11am to 1:30pm, we invite teams of four to register to navigate their way through safety stations and test their knowledge and skills! All participants receive a WSCC gift bag, and are invited to enjoy lunch, provided by NTFL.

 

Registration is open until May 7th, so register your team now!

 

Join us again at 3pm for a special coffee break, courtesy of Northern Safety Association (NSA), where we will announce the winners of Safety Street and award their prizes! Food and door prizes available.

 

YOUTH CHALLENGE

 

The WSCC believes that to decrease workplace injuries and illnesses in the future, safety discussions need to start at a young age. With that in mind, we have special youth-focused NAOSH Week activities across both territories to introduce the safety culture to tomorrow's safety leaders.

 

Colouring Contest

We invite children in kindergarten to grade 6 to participate in the WSCC's annual Colouring Contest! With the choice of four different colouring templates (restaurant, school, firehouse, and home), we encourage youth to use their creativity and knowledge to not only colour in the scene, but to identify the hazards.

 

Deadline for submissions is May 14. We award prizes randomly to a student from each participating grade level, and a matching prize to the school or library that submits the winning submissions.

 

Facebook Challenge

It's no secret; Facebook is an important tool for communicating, especially for Northern youth. It's a means to share thoughts, stories, and pictures. For us, it is also a place to help educate, inspire, and make the North a safer place.

 

Using Facebook as a vehicle for safety awareness, we challenge youth age 13-25 to share safety tips and stories, and let us know why safety is so important!

 

Deadline for participating in this challenge is May 14. We will award prizes to the posts with the most engagement.

 

Make Safety a Habit

To highlight the importance safety plays in your life and that you embrace the NAOSH Week theme, Make Safety a Habit, use the CSSE's sign template and proclaim your dedication. Take a picture of yourself holding the sign and share on Facebook!

 

TOOLBOX CHALLENGE

 

For the second year in a row, the WSCC presents the Toolbox Challenge! Toolbox meetings are your company's safety meetings, and we want to see the minutes from the latest one. Submit your minutes by Thursday, May 9, by email or fax (1-866-979-8501) for the chance to win a great safety prize for your company!

 

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Interested in any of these activities, or looking for more information? Check out our website, and email us! We'd love to hear from you!

 

Working together, we can eliminate workplace diseases and injuries.

 

 

 

wscc.nt.ca   /  1.800.661.0792   *   wscc.nu.ca  /  1.877.404.4407