Occupational Health and Safety Week

May 3 – 8 is North American Occupational Health and Safety week. This week allows all employers and employees to focus on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community. For 2015, the  main theme is “Make Safety a Habit” and it is designed to encourage companies and their workers that may have fallen into that pattern of safety complacency to think about their health and safety in a new way.  SHHA’s Joint Health and Safety committee conducts monthly safety inspections. 

Did you know that in Ontario, slipping, tripping and falling make up almost 20% of all workplace injuries? 

 

Workers should be aware of

1.       Slippery and uneven surfaces

2.       Debris and tripping hazards

3.       Dark and obstructed pathways

4.       Unsuitable footwear

 

Employers Should:

1.       Ask and encourage workers to report safety concerns

2.       Identify hazards and train workers about safety practices

3.       Discuss possible solutions with workers and follow up with their progress

4.       Comply with all other duties under the OHSA and applicable regulations

 

Everyone has responsibility for health and safety as an essential part of their job!

Jimmy Trieu, Director of Corporate Affairs, SHHA