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.
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