About NAOSH
The goal of North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is to focus employers, workers, industry partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community.
Across the country, local, provincial and regional committees comprised mostly of volunteers who share a focus and vision of safer workplaces and communities coordinate annual NAOSH Week events and activities.
NAOSH Week was first launched in June 1997, marked by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering's Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week (COHS) had been observed for ten years previously (1986-1996). During the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks between the governments of Mexico, United States, and Canada, government labour department representatives discussed workplace safety within the boundaries of all three nations. Canada's representative at these talks was familiar with Canada's COHS Week and suggested to his Mexican and American counterparts that their countries may wish to become involved in a similar endeavor.
The 2011 theme for NAOSH Week is What's Your Plan?, which challenges workers and employers to plan for safe workplaces and well trained workers.
For more information on NAOSH, click here.