The Laser Institute of America (LIA) will join with the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) and OSHA Alliance partners http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances to raise awareness of the importance of being safe at work during the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week May 5-11 and Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) Day on May 8.
“It is alarming that 13 people a day are dying from work related injuries. This is a serious problem that we find unacceptable,” said ASSE President Richard A. Pollock, CSP. “These incidents can be prevented. ASSE looks forward to again working with OSHA, CSSE and the OSHA Alliance partners to increase awareness of this issue and providing information, best practices, resources, success stories and more during NAOSH Week to help prevent further workplace tragedies.
“In addition to the NAOSH Week activities, we urge all companies and organizations to take measures now to develop and implement management systems of control that include effective occupational safety and health programs aimed at preventing worker fatalities, injuries and illnesses,” Pollock said. The preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report for 2011 showed 4,609 people died from on-the-job injuries.
“These are 4,609 people who left for work in the morning and never returned home to their families,” Pollock added.
ASSE, CSSE and the OSHA Alliance partners work throughout the year to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses. To illustrate this, the NAOSH 2013 theme is "Safe Workplaces for All." In addition to activities scheduled throughout North America, kickoff events are scheduled for May 5 and 6 at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the National Gallery of Art and the National Zoo. The events will feature presentations on industry workplace safety and health efforts as well as recognizing the winners of the 11th annual ASSE kids’ Safety on the Job international poster contest for children aged 5-14.
“NAOSH week is another tool we use to educate employers and employees on the positive benefits of protecting people, property and the environment and sharing best practices among our members and their employees all in an effort to continue to enhance workplace safety worldwide,” said LIA Education Director Gus Anibarro. “We urge other businesses and organizations to do the same.”
Past NAOSH Week events have included fleet safety classes, ergonomic awareness events; a workplace-oriented, one-day free preparedness Web Expo; a laser safety seminar; roadway work zone safety programs; corporate workplace safety and health days; teen worker safety programs; city and state work safety fairs; symposiums on a variety of topics; projects to assist charities; personal protective equipment (PPE) fashion shows; and much more. Lamar Advertising also donates several billboards around the United States during NAOSH Week featuring Safety on the Job contest posters.