April 14, 1998
(Environment and Labour)

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports the promotion of improved workplace health and safety and thereby recognizes May 18 - 24, 1998 as North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week in the province.

Please be advised that this year North American Occupational Safety and Health Week will take place in May rather than in June. This is the second year that Canada, the United States and Mexico will simultaneously be organizing activities to promote occupational safety and health. This is a major effort by three countries that are closely linked economically to help their employers and employees to think and act in such as way as to prevent work accidents and occupational diseases.

The theme of this year's North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is Occupational Safety and Health: Partners Together in Safety. While the attention will be focused on the importance of getting all stakeholders to think prevention, particular attention will be paid to younger workers and their unacceptably high rate of workplace injury.

The Annual Occupational Health and Safety Leadership Recognition Awards will be presented at a press conference on May 13, 12:00 p.m. at the Fluvarium. Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour, will be in attendance. You are invited to participate in this year's North American Occupational Safety and Health Week's activities and are encouraged to support workplace health and safety.

Contact:

Sean Kelly,Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575

Jean Smith
Director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs
709) 729-2703