Service NL
May 2, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL:

Minister Recognizes North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize May 1 to 7 as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, also called “NAOSH week.”

NAOSH week highlights the importance of controlling workplace hazards and reminds employers and workers of their shared responsibility to promote a strong safety culture.

Today, I participated in a flag raising organized by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers to mark this occasion. I was joined by officials from Workplace NL, and representatives from safety groups and the employer and labour sectors.

I want to thank each of them for their participation, and for the important role they play in promoting safe workplaces.

Mr. Speaker, the Provincial Government’s role is regulatory, and I want to note that our Occupational Health and Safety Branch is very active.

In 2015, there were almost 5,000 inspections conducted in the province, resulting in almost 13,000 directives being issued, 725 of which were stop work orders.

Our government will continue to fulfill its role, in partnership with employers and workers, to promote a stronger safety culture in this province.

I will conclude by thanking the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers for making NAOSH Week a priority every year.

May we always remember to promote safety in both our professional and personal lives.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Signing of the 2016 NAOSH Week Proclamation. Bottom left to right: Richard Alexander, Executive Director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers Council; The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for Workplace NL; and Mary Shortall, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour. Top left to right: Paul Westcott, Professional Member of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering; Graham Letto, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Service NL; and Barry Fitzgerald, Chair of the Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter of the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering.

Proclomation - NAOSH (440 KB)

2016 05 02                             2:10 p.m.