Each year close to 6,000 people die from on-the-job injuries and millions suffer from on-the-job illnesses in the U.S. A recent mining explosion in West Virginia took the lives of 29 miners, which is yet another reminder of the importance of workplace safety.
During May 2-8, the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, members of the American Society of Safety Engineers and partners, the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering and partners, including Iron Man, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and 60 corporate/association partners, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and more will be holding events and providing information at work and in their communities on how to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses throughout the year.
As “Mission NAOSH 2010: Safe Workplaces” suggests, ASSE and its 32,000 occupational SH&E members continue to lead pioneering efforts in work safety for businesses, workers and communities. ASSE aims to reach millions of people worldwide about the importance and long-term benefits of workplace safety and health. Events will be held countrywide including NAOSH kick-off programs in Washington, D.C.
The NAOSH kick-off programs include:
Iron Man Presents “Workplace Safety Concerns/Solutions for Super Heroes” at the Smithsonian Institution, complete with safety professionals
ASSE members and Smithsonian safety professionals to share “Safety Mysteries at the Museum
” NAOSH 2010 kick-off event with OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels, Canadian Society of Safety Engineering members, ASSE officials and 60 + partner organizations at the U.S. Department of Labor;
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Anne S. Ferro, ASSE and CSSE officials will discuss efforts to prevent workplace fatalities and injuries, including the number one cause of on-the-job deaths, transportation incidents, and to recognize winners and entrants of the 8th annual ASSE kids’ ‘Safety-on-the-Job” poster contest.
In addition to the events taking place in Washington, D.C., on Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day, Wednesday, May 5, ASSE, the Oregon Department of Transportation and the American Trucking Association will be hosting a safety press conference at Jubitz Truck Stop in Portland, OR, at 10:00 a.m. focusing on roadway safety and the prevention of roadway crashes, the number one cause of on-the-job fatalities.
For more information and activities you can plan to participate in NAOSH Week, please visit www.asse.org/naosh10
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the oldest safety society with more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members located worldwide committed to protecting people, property and the environment. For more information, please visit www.asse.org
