Rick Rieger, Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association adviser and Helen Fornwald, Estevan’s safety and emergency measures organization co-ordinator visited the Estevan Comprehensive School in mid-May to give selected students a first-hand look at what safety procedures are needed on various worksites.
The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week salute included four of these safety demonstrations.
“The goal of NAOSH is to focus employers, employees and partners as well as the public on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in the community,” said Fornwald. “This year we focused on school students from Grades 9 to 12 who take practical and applied arts classes such as welding, machining, mechanics, electrical technician, cooking and carpentry.
“Saskatchewan has the fourth-highest workplace injuries record. Last year, we were second. We are improving, but have a long way to go,” she added.
The four safety presentations included a session on preventing back injuries, a hard hat demonstration, hand and eye safety.
Each student received a pair of safety glasses to use at school and at home.
“The message delivered to the students was that safety doesn’t stop at 3:30 p.m. We need to take safety home and practice is 24 hours a day,” said Fornwald.
The presentations reached about 150 students at the Comp.
