New Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Web site launched in Canada, the United States and Mexico

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New Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Web site launched in Canada, the United States and Mexico

April 15, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04-29

OTTAWA, ONTARIO- The Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Working Group under the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation (NAALC) has launched a Web site www.naalcosh.org to promote and improve safety in the workplace. The Web site provides valuable information links to promote public involvement and education as well as to encourage the exchange of best practices on programs, projects and activities focusing on occupational safety and health issues in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

"I believe that this Web site will serve as an excellent source of information about the Working Group as well as the various important occupational safety and health activities of the three governments" said Minister Claudette Bradshaw. "Collaborative projects such as this one encourage the ongoing exchange of information and the sharing of good practices that promote improved working conditions and living standards."

The Trinational Working Group was established under the NAALC, a landmark international labour agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico signed at the same time as the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1993. The NAALC seeks to protect the rights and improve working conditions and living standards for workers in all three countries.

The Working Group focuses on four key occupational safety and health issues including the proper labelling and handling of hazardous substances; training and technical assistance for workers, employers and inspectors; safety and health management systems for the workplace; and voluntary protection programs.

The chairpersons of the Trinational Working Group are Gerry Blanchard, Special Advisor to the Assistant Deputy Minister for Labour, Canada, John Henshaw, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, and Manuel Rodriguez-Arriaga, the Director General for workplace safety and health in Mexico.

The Trinational Working Group is holding its fourth meeting in Toronto, Ontario on April 26 and 27, 2004 in conjunction with the Industrial Accident Prevention Association's Annual Health & Safety Conference and Trade Show.

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The Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Web site is at www.naalcosh.org

For information about occupational safety and health issues and international labour affairs, visit the Labour Program Web site.

To learn more about the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week from May 2-8, 2004, visit www.naosh.ca

For details concerning the IAPA Conference and Trade Show, visit the IAPA's Web site at www.iapa.ca

Contacts:

Kevin Banks
Director, Office for Inter-American Labour Cooperation
Labour Program
(819) 997-4621

Denis D'Amour
Office of the Minister of Labour
(506) 851-3419