2023 Safety and Health Week

Apr 27th, 2023

Together we can create safe workplaces and communities. 

The Office of the Chief Risk Officer is celebrating and promoting Safety and Health week happening May 1-6, 2023. This is an ideal time for faculty, staff and students to focus on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home, and in the community. Starting on May 1, you're invited to join our activities to celebrate Safety and Health Week. 

May 1 - Therapy Dogs – Supporting Mental Health

Date and Time:  Monday, May 1st, 12:00-1:00 pm

Location:  The Landing, 3rd Floor, UC

Improving lives on a daily basis, the St. John ambulance Therapy Dog program brings joy and comfort to those in a need of a friendly visit.

May 2 -Your Role in Workplace Psychological Health

Date and Time:  Tuesday, May 2nd, 2:00-4:00 pm

Location:  CSF 1302

Mary Ann Baynton and Emma Ashurst discuss why having a psychologically healthy workplace is important and how all levels of employees can participate. Join us to explore the different responsibilities employers, managers and employees have.

Mary Ann Baynton, MSW 

Director of Collaboration and Strategy, Workplace Strategies for Mental Health

Mary Ann is an expert in workplace mental health and psychological safety. She consults across the country and also serves as Director of Collaboration for Workplace Strategies for Mental Health which produces free resources, compliments of Canada Life, for all Canadians.

Mary Ann strives to eliminate unnecessary suffering and improve lives.

Emma Ashurst, BHSc, MSc

Inquiries and Technical Services Manager, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Emma works on various projects at CCOHS including OSH Answers fact sheets and the Guarding Minds at Work web tool. Emma travels the country speaking on workplace mental health. She is also widely involved in many of the Centre’s internal initiatives and is one of two appointed mental health advocates at CCOHS.

May 3 - Fostering an Inclusive Workplace

Date and Time:  Wednesday, May 3rd, 2:30-3:30 pm

Location:  CSF 1302

Sharon DeSousa and Yvone Defreitas discuss how to make space for others and talk through employees’ needs in the workplace.

The discussion will cover unconscious bias, GBA+ (gender-based analysis plus), and intersectionality.

Sharon DeSousa

National Executive Vice-President, Public Service Alliance of Canada

Sharon has served on many union executives, including as Vice President of Equity and as the first racialized Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario in PSAC history.

A passionate, driven and experienced leader, Sharon is committed to breaking down barriers, building a more inclusive and equitable labour movement, and raising employment standards for all workers.

Yvone Defreitas, CHRP, CHRL

Director of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety 

As a senior human resources management professional with over 20 years of experience, Yvone provides the Centre with council and expertise, positioning human resources as a business partner. Yvone empowers and supports leadership with the ability to affect positive organizational change through expert advice.

May 4 - Are you at Risk of Pain and Discomfort at Work?

Date and Time:  Thursday, May 4th, 10:00-11:00 am

Location: ED1014

Soft-tissue injury hazards are lurking in your workplace, but are you at risk? In this session, we introduce a simple tool to find possible hazards in the tasks you perform and reduce your risk of developing pain and discomfort.

May 4 – Mid-day Meditation

Date and Time:  Thursday, May 4th, 1:00-1:30 pm

Location: ED1014

Improve your focus, lower your stress, and increase your productivity with a midday break. Pause, relax and reflect as you exercise your brain by joining in a short, guided meditation session.

Led by CCOHS’ Sonya Tonkovich

May 5 – Wellness Session

Date and Time:  Friday, May 5th, 10:00-10:30 am

Location: The Landing, 3rd Floor, UC

Learn a daily stretch routine.

Led by Wellness Consultant Kathleen Wall

May 7 – Steps for Life

Date and Time:  Sunday, May 7th, 9:00 am. Registration Opens @ 9:00 am; Opening Remarks @ 10:30 am

Location:  Rotary Paradise Youth and Community Centre, McNarmara Drive, Paradise NL

The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, supports the healing journey of families who have suffered from a workplace fatality, traumatic life-altering injury, or occupational disease. Every year Threads of Life hosts its flagship fundraiser – Steps for Life. Steps for Life is traditionally a 5-km family walk that aims to educate the community about the devastating ripple effects of each workplace tragedy and how we can work together to prevent others being injured or killed on the job.

To join Team Memorial or to donate please go to https://secure3.convio.net/thread/site/TR/StepsForLife/General?team_id=5524&pg=team&fr_id=1324