[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7637]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 547--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''

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

                              S. Res. 547

       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
       Resolved, 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.

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