HSE Corner

NAOSH Week 2006 - April 30 through May 6... For the past several years, safety organizations, business associates, governments and companies throughout North America have banded together in a concentrated effort to limit death and injury from accidental causes.

This year, North American Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH) Week will focus the attention of employers, employees, the general public and partners such as OSHA and safety-related organizations in the United States, Canada and Mexico on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace. Given the growing interest in safety as an economic driver, an additional objective of NAOSH Week will be increasing understanding of the benefits of investment in occupational health and safety.

While we all know that workplace safety must be viewed as a core corporate value and receive constant organizational attention, NAOSH week provides an opportunity to celebrate and refocus year-around efforts. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), one of the key sponsors, suggests considering some of the following ideas within the workplace or as a way of involving the community and families (note - we've added some items to the list):

• Host a family safety fair or picnic for associates and their families.
• Launch a recognition program for safety suggestions that are put into use or enhance ongoing health and safety practices, or celebrate the best ideas from the past year if you have a program in place.
• Conduct an open house that focuses on health and safety. Involve suppliers. Invite local officials, clients, colleagues, health and safety providers and medical staff.
• Conduct training sessions for employees on off-the job subjects (such as first aid, defensive driving, CPR, personal fitness, wellness, emergency preparedness, etc.)
• Set up safety demonstrations focused on safe work habits or new safety methods. Consider having work teams compete for the best demonstration or exhibit and invite neighboring facilities and customer organizations to observe and learn.
• Distribute free downloadable brochures from ASSE.
• Promote NAOSH Week through articles in your company newsletter or intranet. Use material from previous editions of this column or from the HSE Update sent out regularly by e-mail.
• Insert NAOSH Week messages in correspondence, memorandums, e-mail messages to staff.
• Display the NAOSH Week poster in offices, on bulletin boards, at work stations.
• Invite local middle school, high school or college classes to tour your operations, highlighting safety features and the importance of working safely.
• Display and show visitors, as well as associates and their families, how to use various types of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Consider starting a PPE loan system for associates who have participated in demonstrations as a way to ensure that they work safely while engaged in at-home projects.
• Have speakers trained and equipped and then approach school administrators with the option to have speakers attend classes.
• Offer your safety speakers to community service clubs and groups.
• Work with local school boards or school administrators to coordinate special safety-related events or help them expand their safety efforts within the schools.
• Offer to include school maintenance personnel in your safety training.
• Work with elementary and high school students to promote safety as a career.

If you have HSE questions or column suggestions, contact Chip Dawson at (585) 461-1549 or send an email.