[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 77 (Thursday, May 10, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S5950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 193--DESIGNATING THE WEEK OF MAY 6 THROUGH MAY 12, 
2007, AS ``NORTH AMERICAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WEEK'' AND MAY 
    9, 2007, AS ``OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONAL DAY''

  Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Isakson, Mr. Obama, and Mr. Kennedy) 
submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 193

       Whereas every year more than 5,700 people die from job-
     related injuries and 4,400,000 more suffer occupational 
     injuries and illnesses;
       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 every day millions of people go to and return home 
     from work safely due, in part, to the efforts of many unsung 
     heroes, such as occupational safety, health, and 
     environmental practitioners, who work day in and day out 
     identifying hazards and implementing safety and health 
     advances in all industries and at all workplaces, aimed at 
     eliminating workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses;
       Whereas these occupational safety, health, and 
     environmental professionals and members of the American 
     Society of Safety Engineers work to prevent accidents, 
     injuries, and occupational diseases, create safer work and 
     leisure environments, and develop safer products, and are 
     committed to protecting people, property, and the 
     environment;
       Whereas the work of these professionals in the areas of 
     occupational safety, health promotion, disease prevention, 
     and wellness programs has contributed greatly to the 
     improvement of overall employee health, increased 
     productivity, and reduction in health care costs, and yields 
     significant returns on investments in occupational safety and 
     health for the employer;
       Whereas our society has long recognized that a safe and 
     healthy workplace positively impacts employee morale, health, 
     and productivity;
       Whereas the more than 30,000 members of the American 
     Society of Safety Engineers, along with the more than 150,000 
     combined members of the Academy of Certified Hazardous 
     Materials Managers (ACHMM), the American Association of 
     Occupational Health Nurses, Inc., (AAOHN), the American 
     Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and the American 
     National Standards Institute (ANSI), are occupational safety, 
     health, and environmental practitioners dedicated to keeping 
     people safe at work and protecting property and the 
     environment;
       Whereas the purpose of North American Occupational Safety 
     and Health Week (NAOSH) is to increase understanding of the 
     benefits of investing in occupational safety and health, to 
     demonstrate the positive impact that integrating effective 
     safety and health programs in the workplace and the community 
     has on the economy and business, to raise awareness of the 
     role and contribution of safety, health, and environmental 
     professionals in all areas, and to reduce workplace injuries 
     and illnesses by increasing awareness and implementation of 
     safety and health programs;
       Whereas the theme of NAOSH Week 2007 is all modes of 
     transportation safety, particularly stressing that motor 
     vehicle drivers should drive wisely to save lives; and
       Whereas on May 9 occupational safety and health 
     professionals will be recognized during the second annual 
     Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day for the work 
     they do to keep people safe at work: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the week of May 6 through May 12, 2007, to 
     be ``North American Occupational Safety and Health Week'' 
     (NAOSH) and May 9, 2007, to be ``Occupational Safety and 
     Health Professional Day'';
       (2) commends occupational safety, health, and environmental 
     practitioners for their ongoing commitment to protecting 
     people, property, and the environment;
       (3) commends those businesses that encourage a strong 
     safety culture and incorporate occupational safety and health 
     into their business strategies;
       (4) 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 6 
     through May 12, 2007, and throughout the year;
       (5) recognizes the commitment of occupational safety and 
     health professionals in their ongoing work to protect people, 
     property, and the environment on May 9, 2007, Occupational 
     Safety and Health Professional Day;
       (6) urges everyone to observe the theme of NAOSH Week and 
     drive responsibly; and
       (7) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     ``North American Occupational Safety and Health Week'' and 
     ``Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day'' with 
     appropriate programs and activities.

                          ____________________