On May 3, Miller High School hosted the launch of WorkSafe Saskatchewan’s safety glasses initiative.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan, along with partners from the CNIB, Graham Construction, 3M Canada and Weber Supply Canada presented safety glasses to students from the four Regina Catholic high schools.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan provided a pair of sport-type safety glasses to each student during today’s presentation and gave each student a second pair of safety glasses to take home. Students were asked to pass on the glasses and a safety message, thereby becoming a safety leader or ambassador.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan, 3M and Weber Supply also donated enough glasses to Regina Catholic high schools to provide one pair to every student in the Practical and Applied Arts program.

WorkSafe Saskatchewan and its partners will be distributing 35,000 pairs of glasses in schools and communities in Saskatchewan in 2012.

Workers’ Compensation Board CEO Peter Federko says, “We think this is a great opportunity to engage our youth in safety discussions and build community support. We believe that attitudes and behaviours will not change if the home or community doesn’t support what we teach our youth.”

Federko adds, “The program intends to educate and create an opportunity for youth and their communities to engage in safe activities. But a campaign like this would not succeed without corporate support. It was important for WorkSafe Saskatchewan to partner with companies committed to health and safety.”

The launch date immediately precedes National Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week and the CNIB’s National Vision Health Month.