North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, May 4-10

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week will be recognized in Nova Scotia on Monday, May 5, with ceremonies across the province.

This year's theme Start Today! Live It Every Day! draws attention to the need for continual focus on preventing workplace injury and illness everyday.

"We must all work together to identify hazards, eliminate risks, and create a safe work culture for all Nova Scotians," said Mark Parent, Minister of Labour and Workforce Development. "Safety needs to be a priority, not just during North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, but every week of the year."

Flag-raising ceremonies will be held at Province House and Nova Scotia Community College campuses on Monday, May 5.

Last year 12 Nova Scotians died in workplace accidents and 8,200 people were hurt seriously enough that they were unable to return to work on their next shift.

For more information on occupational health and safety in Nova Scotia and how to protect yourself at work everyday, see the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/lwd/healthandsafety .