Working for the Squamish Nation is a pretty safe place to be, according to WorkSafeBC.
Last week, the nation was the winner of two categories in the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) Achievement Recognition awards at the 2011 Safety Forum and Awards ceremony in Langley. More than 50 companies in B.C. participated in the event. The awards are given annually to individuals, organizations and groups that demonstrate outstanding commitment to occupational health and safety.
"Our common goal is to promote safety and health at work in our province, nation and our world," said Tamya Steele, North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week's B.C. steering committee president.
Squamish Nation was one of two organizations in the province to win in both the provincial and national NAOSH Week competitions. In the provincial event, the nation won for best new entry and tied with the City of Kamloops for best new entry across Canada.
This year, Squamish Nation held more than 30 safety and health related events at their business offices and community facilities in North Vancouver and Squamish Valley. This included sessions examining everything from fire extinguisher training to emergency evacuation drills and workplace violence.
A special part of the nation's activities included a safety story telling for children, which incorporated First Nations' traditions and culture. Teachers read to children in the Squamish language and emphasized safety tips through Squamish legends.
In B.C. last year, more than 95,000 workplace injury claims were accepted by WorkSafeBC. One hundred and forty-three pertained to fatalities. On average, in the province 2,600 work injuries are reported every week and 17 workers are permanently disabled every working day.
