NAOSH Week

NAOSH Week stands for North American Occupational Safety and Health Week. 

This year the week falls from May 7-13 2017. 

The goal during Safety and Health Week is to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community.

The history of NAOSH week started in June 1997 which was marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico.  Originally Canada had an Occupational Health and Safety Week (COHS) spearheaded by CSSE which had been observed from 1986-1996.  During the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks between government labour department representatives from these three North American Countries surrounding workplace safety ensued.  Canada’s representative suggested to his American and Mexican counterparts that their countries may wish to become involved in a similar endeavor.  During this time, CSSE was approached for permission to expand and support the COHS week format to Mexico and the United States.  Labour Canada and CSSE COHS Committee had many meetings in 1995, and the proposal to expand the COHS format into North America was formalized at the CSSE Board of Directors spring meeting in 1996.  CSSE agreed to adopt the North American concept in place of the Canadian Week.  In return, Labour Canada agreed to ensure CSSE was officially recognized as the safety organization responsible for NAOSH Week.  September 1996, this agreement was taken to NAFTA and all parties agreed to the proposal.  Result; NAOSH Week was established.

The NAOSH Week logo is three hands forming an equilateral triangle representing the three participating nations-Canada, the United States and Mexico.  It symbolizes their cooperation and commitment to the common goals shared by all Occupational Health and Safety partners.  The three sides not only stand for the partnership of the three countries, but also the partnerships between business, labour and governments.  The connected hands represent assistance and cooperation on many levels including interpersonal relationships in the workplace and international exchange.

To mark this important week within your organization, visit the following link for event and activity suggestions. http://naosh.org/english/events_suggestions.html

Stay tuned to our website for an upcoming contest during NAOSH Week which will give you the opportunity to enter in to win a daily prize as well as a grand prize at the end of the week!

MAKE SAFETY A HABIT!