North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week runs from May 5 to 11 and it is an international initiative focused on highlighting the importance of health and safety in all aspects of our lives. Starting in 1997, NAOSH Week events and activities have been held in Canada, the United States and Mexico with the goal of focusing the attention of all individuals on injury and illness prevention in the workplace, at home and in the community.
The NAOSH Week logo, three hands forming an equilateral triangle, represents cooperation and commitment among the many partners in health and safety. In Canada, NAOSH Week is led by the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), who, work in partnership with many organizations to promote NAOSH Week events.
NAOSH Week activities are coordinated across the country by committees, comprised mainly of volunteers, dedicated to raising awareness and reducing injuries and illnesses in workplaces and communities.
Health and Safety Selfie Contest
To celebrate NAOSH Week, the Health, Safety and Employee Well Being (HSEWB) Unit at York University knows that staff and faculty work in safe and healthy ways every day. To mark NAOSH Week, the unit is hosting a contest.
To enter the contest, all staff and faculty need to do is take a selfie, or a pic of colleagues (with their consent, of course) doing things that promote health, safety and/or well being in the workplace and e-mail it with a catchy caption and the name(s) of people in the picture to hsewb@yorku.ca.
To learn more about how to stay safe when taking selfies, see this informative article available at https://bit.ly/2ajnpZL.
HSEWB will be selecting one winner in each of the following categories:
- proactive workplace safety,
- physical health and wellness,
- mental Health and wellness.
The contest closes on May 31. Winners will be announced on June 10.
By submitting the photo, the participants authorize York University and/or their delegates to use these images. They may use this material in any format, with intentional or unintentional alterations, and use for the purpose of illustration, publicity, advertising, promotion, recruitment, and/or publication of any product or service for the university for any period of time. Participation in the contest is strictly voluntarily. Full contest rules are available here.
NAOSH Week 2019 Wellness Tips:
Tip #1: May 6 to 12 is Mental Health Week in Canada
HSEWB encourages every member of the York community to evaluate their coping tactics and ensure that have strategies are in place to handle what life brings. Try planning activities that will help promote relaxation, re-energizing and reconnecting with family, friends and colleagues. York University's Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) provides strategies for any work, health or life concerns. Visit https://www.shepell.com/en-ca/ for more information.
Share a selfie of how you celebrated Mental Health Week at work (e.g. having lunch together with your colleagues) and enter the Health and Safety Selfie Contest.
Tip #2: Understanding York University's new Joint Health and Safety Committees
On April 15, York University’s new Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSCs) structure came into effect. Let’s celebrate this relaunch and spark discussion on health and safety matters at the workplace by getting involved. Visit the JHSC website to get to know your committee members.
If you are interested to join your area committee, speak to your management supervisor and/or union (if applicable). For more information, contact HSEWB at hsewb@yorku.ca.
Show your involvement by taking a selfie with one or more of your JHSC member(s) and enter the Health and Safety Selfie Contest.