III 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 547 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 1, 2008 Mr. Durbin (for himself, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Obama) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2008, as “North American Occupational Safety and Health Week” and May 7, 2008, as “Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day”.

Whereas every year more than 5,700 people die from job-related injuries and 4,400,000 more incur occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States; Whereas transportation crashes continue to be the number 1 cause of on-the-job deaths, and overall, in 2005, there were 6,159,000 transportation accidents resulting in 43,433 deaths, 2,700,000 injuries, and an estimated $230,600,000,000 in tangible costs; Whereas businesses spend $170,000,000,000 a year on costs associated with occupational injuries and illnesses; Whereas it is imperative that employers, employees, and the general public are aware of the importance of preventing illness and injury in the workplace—wherever that workplace may be, such as on the road, in the air, the classroom, the store, the plant, or the office; Whereas each year the families, friends, and co-workers of victims of on-the-job accidents suffer intangible losses and grief, especially when proper safety measures could have prevented worker injury or death; Whereas everyday millions of people go to and return home from work safely due, in part, to the efforts of occupational safety, health, and environmental practitioners who work day in and day out identifying hazards and implementing safety and health advances across industries and workplaces, aimed at eliminating workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses; Whereas our society has long recognized that a safe and healthy workplace positively impacts employee morale, health, and productivity; Whereas the purpose of the North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) is to raise awareness among employees, employers, and the general public of the benefits of investing in occupational safety and health; Whereas the more than 32,000 members of the American Society of Safety Engineers, along with the more than 150,000 combined members of the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses, the American Heart Association, and the National Association of Homebuilders, will be mobilizing to encourage safe practices, and increase the quality of life for employees and employers; Whereas the theme of NAOSH Week 2008 is safety is good business, highlighting that businesses operate more efficiently and are more respected when they use effective safety and health management systems; and Whereas, on May 7, 2008, occupational safety and health professionals will be recognized during the 3rd annual Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day for the work they do to keep people safe at work: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)designates the week of May 4 through 10, 2008, as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week; (2)designates May 7, 2008, as Occupational Safety and Health Professionals Day; (3)commends occupational safety, health, and environmental practitioners for their ongoing commitment to protecting people, property, and the environment; (4)commends those businesses that encourage a strong safety culture and incorporate occupational safety and health into their business strategies; (5)encourages all industries, organizations, community leaders, employers, and employees to join with the American Society of Safety Engineers to support activities aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of preventing illness, injury, and death in the workplace, during the week of May 4 through May 10, 2008, and throughout the year; and (6)urges all people of the United States to continue to act responsibly and to be safe at work so that the millions of people who go to work return home safely every day to their families and friends.