Minister Says Equip, Educate and Empower

Nova Scotians need to take three little words -- Equip, Educate and Empower -- to heart, Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash said today, May 2.

Mr. Morash used the three-word theme for this year's North American Occupational Safety and Health week celebration at ceremonies at the Nova Scotia Community College in Bridgewater and then at the Grand Parade in Halifax.

"I'm pleased to kick off this important week and create awareness around three simple but powerful words: Equip. Educate. Empower," said Mr. Morash. "These words lead to action and that leads to a safer Nova Scotia."

Mr. Morash is urging all Nova Scotians to turn these three words into action:

• Equip. All employers and employees in this province must equip themselves with not only the knowledge but the gear to prevent injury and illness at the workplace.

• Educate. Everyone has a role to play in a healthy and safe workplace. People must know their rights and responsibilities under the law.

• Empower. Nova Scotians can empower themselves and those around them so they can always identify hazards and eliminate the risks in their work environments.

Mr. Morash said the disturbing frequency of workplace injuries is a problem that is simple to understand and yet complex to solve. "We know it is a combination of policies, awareness and enforcement that will drive cultural change," he said. "That change is our collective mission."

Workers' Compensation Board statistics show that, during a typical day in Nova Scotia, more than 440,000 people go to work. On any given day, 94 people will get hurt at work and need medical attention. Twenty-five of them will be unable to return to work the next day. In the next 14 days, someone will die as a result of their work.

"From Yarmouth to Sydney we must reaffirm the commitment in this province to prevent work-related injury and illness," said Mr. Morash. "We all have a role everyday to ensure that we're identifying workplace health and safety risks and eliminating the hazards. Simply put: We all need to Equip. Educate. Empower."

For more information on workplace health and safety call 1-800- 952-2687 or see the website at www.worksafeforlife.ca .