Celebrating NAOSH Week May 6-12

May 8, 2012
With a theme this year of "Safety, What Every Business Needs," the 2012 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week kicked off May 6 for a week of events stressing the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.

NAOSH Week is an annual initiative held during the first full week of May to improve understanding and awareness of safety and health issues. Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day (OSHP Day) also falls on the Wednesday of NAOSH Week.

In celebration of NAOSH Week this year, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) launched an animated video about industrial hygiene. The video, "The Right Thing To Do," explains the role of industrial hygienists in keeping people safe at work. The video describes the various hazards employees may face in the workplace, including chemical hazards, biological hazards, physical hazards, the hazards of repeated movement, mental and emotional stresses and more.

"The reason we protect each other from these hazards is simple: Because at the end of the day, all of us want to go home in good health," the video points out. "It is the right thing to do."

Making It Work

In Canada, NAOSH Week's theme is reflected as "Making It Work."

"During NAOSH Week, people across Canada and throughout North America will take time to reflect on this year's theme, 'Making It Work,'" said Peter Sturm, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) president. "Through the collective and dedicated efforts of many individuals in a number of organizations, and with the support of regional and national partners, attention will be drawn to the need to plan for safety and 'Making It Work' all day, every day of the year."

NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Threads of Life and partners in Mexico.

"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," Sturm added.

For more information about NAOSH Week, visit ASSE's NAOSH Week page or http://www.naosh.ca/english.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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