Occupational Safety and Health in the spotlight

A proclamation at the May 7 Swift Current City Council meeting put occupational health and safety into the spotlight.

Ed Fonger, OHS and EMO Coordinator for the City of Swift Current was assisted by Mayor Denis Perrault in proclaiming the week of May 6 to 12 as North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week in Swift Current.

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is an important time to focus on workplace safety.

“Each year this week is set aside to allow Canada, the United States and Mexico to jointly make their respective populations aware of the importance of preventing workplace injuries and illnesses,” Fonger said in a presentation to Council.

“The goal of NAOSH Week is to focus the attention of the employers, employees and general public, and anyone involved in Occupational Health and Safety, on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace and at home.”

This year’s NAOSH Week theme is Making Safety Happen.

“At the City of Swift Current we work hard consistently to improve our level of safety. Over the past few years we’ve established a Safe Work Procedures, and taken time to recognize the hazards on the job. We strive to eliminate a hazard before starting any task or the job.”

He added that the city has invested time and resources into city employees so that they are properly trained in reducing injuries and illness. They backed this up by signing onto the Mission Zero Charter.

The Saskatchewan Health and Safety Leadership Charter is a province wide safety initiative which aims to start a cultural shift in the way injuries and injury prevention is viewed. Participants then work towards continuous improvement of healthy and safe workplaces and communities.

“At the City of Swift Current we strive to make a safe work and safe home culture, and encourage our employees to take this mindset of safety home with them. And safety doesn’t start at 7 a.m., nor does it stop at 5 p.m.”