Origin of NAOSH Week
North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week was first launched in June 1997, by an agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico. The Canadian Society of Safety Engineering’s (CSSE) Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Week (COHS) had been observed from 1986-1996. During the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks between the governments of Mexico, United States, and Canada, workplace safety within the boundaries of all three nations was discussed by government labour department representatives. Canada suggested to the Mexican and American counterparts that their countries may wish to become involved in a similar endeavour to COHS Week.
As a result, CSSE was approached for permission and support to expand the COHS Week format and experience to Mexico and the United States. The proposal was formalized with the CSSE Board of Directors in 1996 and it was agreed that 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 North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week.
The agreement was taken to the 1996 NAFTA meeting and NAOSH Week was established.
National partners
Over the years, national partners joined CSSE, now known as Health and Safety Professionals Canada, to champion injury and illness prevention and raise awareness of the importance of workplace health and safety. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has this mission embedded in its mandate and purpose and has been a strong supporter of NAOSH Week since it began. Threads of Life supports the families who have been impacted by a workplace illness, injury or death, and as a national partner, reminds us all why it’s so important that we continue working to protect the health, safety and well-being of workers.
Name change
In 2019, the partners recognized the importance of expanding the goals and efforts of NAOSH Week beyond the world of occupational health and safety. To be more inclusive, they agreed that the name should be clear and easily understood by everyone. The name was changed to Safety and Health Week and the transition to the new branding began.
The goal during Safety and Health Week remains to focus employers, employees, partners and the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community. Together, we can create safer workplaces and communities.
The Safety and Health Week Logo
Three colours forming an equilateral triangle portray the three participating nations – Canada, the United States and Mexico – and symbolizes joint venture, cooperation and the commitment to the common goals shared by all occupational health and safety partners. The three sides stand for partnership of the three countries in this joint occupational health and safety venture, as well as all tripartite partnerships between business, labour and governments. The connected colours illustrate assistance and cooperation on many levels – from interpersonal relationships in the workplace to international exchange.