North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Awards to be Presented to Organizations Committed to Safety

WINNIPEG – The annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Awards are being awarded today, recognizing the safety and prevention efforts of Manitoba workplaces during NAOSH Week. 

Sponsored by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), NAOSH Week focuses on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace. It was held May 3 to 9, with the theme of “Make It Home Safe Every Day!”

“Prevention awareness among workers and the general public is essential to increasing workplace safety,” says Jeff Philpott, President, Manitoba Chapter of the CSSE. “NAOSH Week provides an important reminder to employers, workers and communities that safety should be a priority all year long.”

“The Workers Compensation Board’s vision, SAFE Work – A Way of Life, represents our commitment to building a safety culture in Manitoba,” says Doug Sexsmith, President and CEO of the WCB of Manitoba. “We continue to work with our partners towards preventing injuries and lowering the time loss injury rate in the province.”

This afternoon, awards are being presented to nine Manitoba workplaces in recognition of their safety efforts during NAOSH Week. They include: 

• New Flyer Industries – Best Overall
• Barkman Concrete Ltd. & Loewen (tie) – Most Innovative
• CFB Shilo – Best Representation of a Theme
• Motor Coach Industries – Best New Entry
• Contempora Steel Builders – Small Employer
• The Fairmont Winnipeg – Honourable Mention
• Pollard Banknote – Honourable Mention
• Red River College – Honourable Mention 

“We are very honoured at New Flyer to be the recipient of this award,” says Rob Beal, Safety Coordinator, New Flyer Industries Canada ULC. “Receiving this award is a testament of our overall commitment, participation and promotion of safety and health activities and awareness at our workplace and in our community. It is this type of recognition that affirms New Flyer’s efforts are creating positive change in safety and health promotion today and in the future.”

Sponsors of this year’s NAOSH awards included Acklands-Grainger, New Flyer Industries, Manitoba Lotteries, the Construction Safety Association of Manitoba, Safety Services Manitoba, the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, the CSSE Manitoba Chapter and SAFE Work, a joint initiative of the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba and the province’s Workplace Safety and Health Division.

SAFE: Spot the hazard. Assess the risk. Find a safer way. Everyday.