The IATSE has been a longtime proponent of workplace safety, arranging courses and materials to encourage safe working habits for the many members in the entertainment industry.
Once again this year, the IATSE will participate in the following safety events: The AFL-CIO Workers’ Memorial Day (USA), the National Day of Mourning (Canada), and the North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week.
AFL-CIO Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28, 2016
On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers’ Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe jobs. This year, workers will come together to call for work in this country that is safe, healthy, and pays fair wages.
On Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28, workers in all IATSE local unions have been asked to pause and offer a moment of silence at 1:00pm EDT / 10am PDT on behalf of those in the entertainment industry and all workers who have paid the ultimate price in order to support themselves and their families.
National Day of Mourning, April 28, 2016
On the National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-mast. Workers will light candles, don ribbons and black armbands and observe moments of silence. Businesses are asked to participate by declaring April 28 a Day of Mourning and to strive to prevent workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries.
Canadian IATSE workers are asked to observe the same moment of silence as their U.S. brothers and sisters at 1:00pm EDT / 10am PDT in memory of all workers who have been killed on the job. In this way, both countries will be united in remembrance.
NAOSH Week, May 1-7, 2016
NAOSH Week is an annual occupational health and safety celebration. The intent is to focus on spreading the message about the importance of safety and health in the community. NAOSH Week began in Canada in the mid-1980s and has spread across North America to promote safety.
Local unions are asked to plan a simple observation of NAOSH Week by focusing on safety. Workers can plan a class or event that helps their local union take one more step toward a safer work environment – organize a training seminar, hold an ergonomics awareness event, resolve to bargain contributions to the IATSE Training Trust Fund into agreements, download and distribute the free ANSI standards to your members, evaluate the safety of your job sites, have a shop steward training – the possibilities are unlimited.
More information on NAOSH Week can be found here:
http://www.naosh.org/english/
http://www.asse.org/newsroom/naosh/#undefined