Prevention, that’s the key

Pierrette Gouin and Roland Boisvenu, two volunteers from a health and safety committe inspecting a work area.

The Office of Risk Management, Environmental Health and Safety is launching a new initiative: one day per month dedicated to workplace safety inspections.

The first inspection day, to be held on Friday, April 21, 2006 will be dedicated to the recognition of volunteer members of sectoral occupational health and safety committees. These committees, explains occupational health and safety officer, Céline Clément, coordinate the inspections in the sectors they represent to prevent hazard and promote safe practices. Such inspections have been ongoing since 1992.

“Inspection days will underscore the importance of maintaining healthy and safe workplaces and help rally the University community to achieve that goal,” Clément says. Over the course of the coming year, all workplaces on campus will be inspected.

A safe workplace may also earn prizes for employees. Following inspections, committee members will distribute coupons for a monthly draw to colleagues who keep their workplace safe, according to set criteria.

For more information on inspection days or on joining a committee, contact Clément at ext. 3052 or celine.clement@uOttawa.ca.