Safety Engineering

The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) is the leading health, safety and environmental organization for professionals in Canada. They work with industry, governmental agencies, and other safety organizations to promote a greater awareness of health, safety, and environmental issues in workplaces and communities across the nation and around the world.

CSSE has led an annual safety and health promotion event since 1986, with its Canadian Occupational Health Safety Week (COHS).  In 1995, CSSE was approached for permission and support to expand the Canadian format and experience to Mexico and the United States. After many meetings between Labour Canada and the CSSE COHS Committee, the CSSE Board of Directors finalized the proposal to expand the COHS format into the North American arena at their spring 1996 meeting.  CSSE would adopt the North American concept and implement it in place of the Canadian Week.  Labour Canada agreed to ensure that CSSE was the officially recognized safety organization responsible for NAOSH Week. Labour Canada would also play the lead political role for North America for three years, after which there would be a review.  CSSE was responsible for all management, marketing, policy, administration, etc. related to NAOSH Week, acting as the proprietor and governing body.

In September 1996, the agreement was taken to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) meeting and all parties agreed to the proposal. NAOSH Week was implemented under this agreement between 1997 and 2000.

Since 2000, CSSE has undertaken the responsibility and management of NAOSH Week.  Partnering with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) and the Labour Program of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), CSSE works hard to promote and encourage the goals of NAOSH.  Along with the efforts of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), NAOSH Week continues to be a truly continent-wide event.

For more information on CSSE, click here.