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June 4
(Environment and Labour)


Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week June 2-8, 1997

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment and Labour, joined in the celebration of Canadian Occupational Health & Safety (COHS) Week on June 4 at a presentation luncheon held at the Fluvarium, St. John's. The minister presented the Departmental Leadership Recognition Awards acknowledging the efforts by individuals, organizations and companies in the prevention of workplace accidents and illnesses during the past year.

"COHS Week is an opportunity for all stakeholders, employers, employees and government to actively promote safe workplace practices and procedures for the prevention of illnesses and injuries" said the minister. The theme of this year's COHS Week is " Managing Safety - An Element of Productivity". A well managed health and safety program which has commitment and support from senior management and employees alike will result in reduced injuries and illnesses. The minister said: "Injury/illness prevention can more fully be realized if education and training are supported with compliance and enforcement of workplace health and safety rules and regulations." The direct and indirect cost savings of injury/illness prevention will largely compensate for any related implementation costs for occupational health and safety programs. The minister presented awards to:

  • MINISTER'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, the highest program award, to Westinghouse Canada Incorporated for its continued commitment to providing a safe and healthy workplace. This company has operated for 25 years without a Lost Time Accident and has continued to proactively address workplace health and safety concerns.

    AWARD OF MERIT to Ms. Madonna Stamp, an employee of the Delta Hotel & Conference Centre, St. John's whose life saving actions in August 1996 saved the life of a hotel guest attending a wedding banquet. Ms. Stamp successfully preformed the Heimlich Manoeuvre on the choking gentleman and ultimately saved his life.

    VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION AWARD to David Rex for his many years of dedicated community service in the field of Occupational Health and Safety. Mr. Rex's personal interest in the promotion of injury/illness prevention has benefited the Stephenville, Bay St. George area. People of all ages and of all walks of life have increased awareness of occupational health and safety through his efforts. Mr. Rex was awarded the Canada Volunteer Award in 1989 mainly for his First Aid training seminars, which obviously had an impact, as there are three documented cases of young people saving lives by utilizing the skills they learned in Mr. Rex's training courses. Mr. Rex volunteers approximately 12-15 weekends per year, as well as numerous evenings and annual leave days in his promotion of OH&S.

    INNOVATIVE SAFETY SOLUTION AWARD to Labatt Breweries of Newfoundland for their invention of a Spray Nozzle Remover/Installer and the subsequent implementation and training on the use of this new device in the company's Safety Program. This device is unique, as it was designed and developed by Doug Kerrivan and Bob Meadus, employees of Labatt Breweries. The Spray Nozzle Remover/Installer is utilized in Confined Space work areas to change ceiling spray nozzles without the need for ladders. This greatly reduces the potential for slips and falls associated with this work procedure and generally improves health and safety in Confined Spaces.

    OUTSTANDING SAFETY COMMITTEE OR WORKER REPRESENTATIVE AWARD to Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited for the committee's work in producing a Procedures Pamphlet for Reporting Unsafe Occupational Health & Safety Items, a Safety Pamphlet for Visitors, as well as a Mill Safe Practices Manual. These initiatives demonstrate the committee's organization and commitment to the principles of OH&S in a changing work environment.

    HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAM AWARD to Abitibi - Price Incorporated, Stephenville for the positive impact which the company's health and safety program has had on the prevention of workplace accidents and illnesses. This company's comprehensive Occupational Health & Safety Program contributed to zero Lost Time Accidents in 1996 for regular employees and Zero Lost Time Accidents in 1995 and 1996 for labour pool employees.

Contact:

  • Jean M. Smith
    Director
    Workplace Health & Safety Programs
    (709) 729-2703

    Sean Kelly
    Director
    Communications
    (709) 729-2575

1997 06 04 1:20 p.m.

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