The following statement was issued today by Joan Burke, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise in the house today to draw attention to the public education campaign launched this morning by the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. The campaign is called Safe Work. The goal is to promote safety at work in an effort to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.

It was not that long ago that I delivered another statement to my honourable colleagues recognizing the National Day of Mourning for those injured or killed on the job. It was a reminder that every year thousands of workers in our province suffer as a result of workplace accidents. It is my belief that the Safe Work campaign will tackle this issue head-on, making our workplaces safer for all.

As minister responsible for the commission, I am extremely satisfied that the impact of injuries on the worker, the employer and the province are being recognized. When a worker is injured, it affects colleagues, family, and the community. Workplace injuries also have a negative affect on businesses and the economy.

It is important to note that through the efforts of employers and workers, some progress has been made to reduce injuries on the job. The total number of accidents is down about 10 per cent from just two years ago. However, to build on this success, it is critical that we create and embrace a culture of safety so that in time, accidents are simply unacceptable. To this end the Workplace, Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, through the Safe Work campaign, is committed to changing people�s attitudes, making safety a priority in the minds of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

The Safe Work campaign is a sound approach to raise awareness, to educate and ultimately, to save lives.

2004 05 27                                        2:10 p.m.