Senator Timilty Champions North American Occupational Safety and Health Week with Senate Resolution
(Boston, MA) – State Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton) successfully introduced a resolution in the Massachusetts State Senate declaring this week as North American Occupational Safety and Health Week.
“The majority of workplace injuries and fatalities are preventable, sadly, more than 5,250 workers die each year from job-related injuries,” said Timilty the Chairman of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. “Furthermore, millions suffer occupational injuries and illnesses.”
Senator Timilty said that by elevating attention to health and safety in the workplace, we all help to improve working conditions.
“While many people return home safe from work each day thanks in large part to occupational safety and health professionals’ diligence, we still have a great deal of work to do to lower injuries, and more importantly, to save lives,” Senator Timilty stated.
More than 100 years ago, the American Society of Safety Professionals was born from one of the worst US workplace tragedies – the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which killed 146 workers in a New York City garment factory in 1911. The investigation following the fire revealed great negligence in building safety practices as well as a lack of regulations requiring such practices.
“We have our professionals in this health and safety industry to thank for being passionate about protecting our workers, each and every day,” said Senator Timilty. “We owe a great deal to the passionate professionals in the health and safety industry.”
Thomas A. Rich, Corporate Safety Director at Walsh Brothers, Inc., Past-President of the Greater Boston Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, and Current Government Affairs Chair, was in attendance to hear the Resolution read into the Senate rollcall.
Mr. Rich has been working diligently with both Senator Timilty, and Representative Bruce Ayers, (D-Quincy) to assist in amplifying the message of health and safety in the workplace.
Numerous State Legislators signed on in support of the Resolution to reduce occupational injuries for the American worker.
“Safer organizations enjoy increased productivity, higher employee satisfaction, and a better reputation, while recording less lost time, lower workers’ compensation, and lower healthcare costs,” said Timilty.
This and every year, members of the American Society of Safety Professionals, the US Occupational Safety & Health Administration, and partners representing thousands of businesses mobilize in an effort to increase employer, employee, and public awareness of being safe at work; to encourage safe practices; and to help companies and organizations enhance their workplace safety efforts.