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Canadian launch of North American Occupational Safety & Health Week held in Vancouver
Vancouver, B.C., May 1, 2006 — Today, the Canadian launch of North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week kicked off in Vancouver with Canada Task Force 1 — Urban Search and Rescue rappelling down an office building, and a number of safety demonstrations.
In 2004, 928 Canadian workers died on the job, 340,502 accepted time-loss claims were accepted and $8 billion paid out in benefits.
Keynote speaker, Walter Gretzky, spoke of his own serious workplace injury and the importance of using safety procedures at work, home and in the community; the goals of Safety and Health Week. “My hard hat was split in two. Without my personal protective safety equipment, I wouldn't be here,” said Walter Gretzky.
The aim of NAOSH Week is to focus the attention of employers, workers, the general public and all partners in occupational safety and health on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community. This year's theme is Review, Refresh and Revitalize.
Chris Metcalfe, B.C. President, NAOSH Week said, “The typical Canadian is never likely to need the level of rescue demonstrated here today. Most injury and deaths occur during repetitious and everyday experiences. That's when we need to take a fresh look at safety.”
NAOSH Week was first launched in June 1997 after Canada, the United States, and Mexico signed an agreement on health and safety in the workplaces of the three nations as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Art Nordholm, representing the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) and Chair of the NAOSH Committee stated, “In addition to the support of our North American partners — Canadian Centre of Occupational Health and Safety, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and American Society of Safety Engineers, the CSSE is proud to acknowledge the dedicated health and safety professionals across North America”.
Workplaces and community groups across Canada are participating in public awareness activities and the CSSE Achievement Award Program from April 30th until May 6th.
“We know that when people feel valued, respected and satisfied in their jobs and work in safe, healthy environments, they are more likely to be productive and committed to their work,” remarked CCOHS President and CEO, Len Hong.
B.C. Minister of Labour Mike de Jong welcomed the attendees to the gathering. “I am proud that Vancouver was chosen to be the Canadian site for the kick-off of North American Occupational Safety and Health week. Our province is committed to working with our partners to establish B.C. as the safest jurisdiction in Canada, and ensuring that our citizens are safety conscious at work, at play, and on our roads.”
One of the safety demonstrations at Granville Square was the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 35,000 Canadian lives are lost each year to cardiac arrest. Defibrillation improves survival by 30% if delivered in the first few minutes. MediQuest Technologies is equipping 1,500 pharmacies across Canada with AEDs this year, the first mass distribution in Canada.
Also on site, Canada Task Force 1 demonstrated the decontamination of people after a disaster, UBC Centre of Health and Environmental Research tested lung function, and WorkSafeBC, the BC Safety Authority, Acklands Grainger, CSSE and CCOHS had information booths.
WorkSafeBC is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves nearly two million workers and about 179,000 employers. WorkSafeBC was born out of a compromise between B.C.’s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. The organization is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits.
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Gladys Johnsen
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