In an ongoing effort to increase public awareness on the importance of workplace safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) will kick off the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) 2006, which runs April 30-May 6.

The NAOSH Week national kickoff in Washington, D.C., will address key occupational safety, health and environmental issues and initiatives aimed at reducing workplace fatalities, injuries and illnesses for teen workers. The event will also feature the winners of the fourth annual ASSE national kids' "Safety-on-the-Job" poster contest from around the U.S., Canada and 30 other trade organizations representing all industries.

NAOSH week is intended to focus the attention of employers, employees, and all partners in occupational safety, health and the environment on the importance of preventing injury and illness in the workplace; to increase the understanding of the benefits of investment in occupational safety and health; and, to encourage new health, safety and environmental activities. Go to www.asse.org/naosh06 for more information.