May 19, 1998
(Environment and Labour)

The following statement was issued today by Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Each year Governments and stakeholders set aside a week to increase attention and awareness to the importance of health and safety in the workplace. I am pleased to announce that this week - May 18 to May 24 is North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. This is a joint effort of Canada, the United States and Mexico to simultaneously promote injury and illness prevention in the workplace and to recognize the efforts of those who have contributed to the improvement of health and safety in the workplace. The theme of North American Occupational Safety and Health Week this year is "Occupational Safety and Health, Partners Together in Safety." In Canada, we are focusing attention on the prevention of illness and injury among young workers.

To help raise awareness of occupational health and safety in our own province, the Department of Environment and Labour along with other stakeholders have planned numerous activities. Throughout the week, the department is running advertisements in various provincial newspapers and on radio stations. As well, an information booth will be set up at the Village Mall on Thursday, May 21. Stakeholder groups, such as the Federation of Labour, the Employers' Council and the Federation of Municipalities, have sent mail-outs to their members informing them of the importance of occupational health and safety.

In addition to these activities, there is another very important event which takes place at this time each year. I am referring to the presentation of the Occupational Health and Safety Leadership Recognition Awards.

The Leadership Recognition Awards program is an initiative of the Department of Environment and Labour. It is offered to all employers within the province of Newfoundland and Labrador and its purpose is to recognize individuals and organizational efforts in the prevention of workplace accidents and injuries.

Last Wednesday, I had the honour of presenting the awards to the 1997 winners at a ceremony held at the Quidi Vidi Rennies River Fluvarium here in St. John's. I would like to take this opportunity to inform honourable members of this year's winners.

The Awards program consists of six categories.

The first is the AWARD OF MERIT - This award is given to an employee or employees who, through alert and correct action, saved a person's life or prevented serious workplace injury. The award winners are Clarence O'Quinn, Don Skeard, Mike Hoots, Bob Manuel, Toby White and John Walsh of Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Stephenville, NF.

The second is the VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION AWARD - This Award is given to an individual who volunteered his/her time to provide health and safety training to promote an accident free work environment. This year's award winner is Bob Barry of TRA Grand Falls-Windsor Branch.

The third award is for OUTSTANDING SAFETY COMMITTEE - This Award is given to the most pro-active workplace health and safety committee that identifies concerns and implements recommendations, performs safety audits, and shows leadership. This year's award winner is the Occupational Health and Safety Committee of Labatt Breweries, NF.

The fourth is the HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM AWARD - This Award is given to a company whose leadership and commitment has resulted in the implementation of an outstanding health and safety program. This year's award winner is TRA Grand Falls-Windsor Branch.

The fifth is the MINISTER'S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - This Award is given to a company that has demonstrated over time an improved safety record, enhanced product quality, improved training courses and overall company success. This year's award winner is McNamara Construction Company.

Finally, an award is available for INNOVATIVE SAFETY SOLUTIONS - This Award is given to the individuals or companies that develop innovative solutions for equipment and/or procedures that eliminate safety hazards. Regrettably there were no nominations this year in this category.

I want once again to extend congratulations to the winners of the Occupational Health and Safety Leadership Recognition Awards for 1997. I applaud their tremendous efforts and dedication to improved health and safety in our workplaces. I want also to commend each of the individuals, groups and companies that were nominated this year. Certainly, their efforts should not go unnoticed and I encourage each to apply again next year.

The theme of North American Occupational Safety and Health Week reflects the importance of partnerships. Each and everyone of us has a part to play in occupational health and safety as is evident from the Leadership Recognition Awards program. I encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reflect on what they can do to ensure illness and injury is prevented in the workplace.

1998 05 19                         5:05 p.m.