Celebrating Safety and Health Week at McMaster

Last week was Safety and Health Week, an opportunity to spread awareness about safety and well-being while preventing injury and illness in the workplace, at home and in our community. 

To celebrate, the university hosted its annual Safety and Health Week BBQ and Vendor Fair on Wednesday, May 8, in the MUSC Atrium. Community members enjoyed lunch and heard from various vendors on physical and psychological health and safety.  

It was also a chance to spotlight the invaluable efforts of McMaster University’s 28 Joint Health and Safety Committees (JHSC) and recognize the Health and Safety Award of Excellence winners for 2024.  

“We’re extremely grateful for the unwavering commitment and dedication of the JHSC members in keeping our campus healthy and safe,” said Wanda McKenna, Associate Vice-President and Chief Human Resources Officer. “It truly is a partnership that’s making an impact.”  

The Health and Safety Award of Excellence recognizes community members who consistently demonstrate a commitment to maintaining physically and psychologically safe working and learning environments.

The 2024 winners are:

Douglas Keller, Laboratory Manager, Chemical Engineering  Doug Keller has been a pivotal figure in promoting Health and Safety within the Chemical Engineering department at McMaster University. With decades of service, he established and advised safety committees, ensuring safety protocols were integrated into new lab spaces and research projects. Doug introduced a comprehensive Safety Report system, led annual safety seminars for graduate students and supported safety for undergraduate clubs.    Recognized for his leadership and integrity, his approachability and extensive knowledge have made him a valuable resource across the Faculty of Engineering.

Slips, Trips and Falls Prevention Campaign Group. Carlos Figueira, Stephanie Poweska, Holly Gibson, Dean Mougenot, Ryan Rexworthy, and Facility Services Grounds team.  In 2023, a dedicated group of employees collaborated to launch a campus-wide campaign to prevent slips, trips, and falls (STF), particularly during the winter months.   Their innovative approach included a creative communication plan, strategic placement of salt bins with shovels, and the use of QR codes for reporting hazards and salt bin refills. This initiative not only demonstrated their long-standing commitment to health and safety but also led to a notable decrease in critical STF-related injuries.

Congratulations to the nominees, recipients and thank you to the entire community for their commitment to a healthy and safe workplace.  

All employees are also encouraged to ensure their health and safety training is complete by logging in to Mosaic and checking the training summary.   

Safety is more than a checklist – learn more about Health and Safety at McMaster.