CCOHS CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY WITH VIP CEREMONY AND OPENING OF NEW BUILDING
HAMILTON, November 17, 2003 – The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) celebrated its 25th anniversary today with the official opening of its new downtown headquarters building, officiated by the Hon. Claudette Bradshaw, federal Minister of Labour.
The two-storey, 25,000 square foot, $1.7 million building is at 135 Hunter Street East near Walnut Street South, an historic site located where the original Queen Victoria public school was built in 1887, serving area children and later adult learning, until its demolition nearly a century later. CCOHS had previously operated from a building at Main and Wellington Streets.
“The modern design and technology in this new facility will greatly contribute to our work of gathering the best occupational health and safety information from around the world and re-developing it to be of maximum use for individual Canadians in the workplace,” said S. Len Hong, president and chief executive officer of the CCOHS.
“The Centre’s reputation as an innovative and expert source of occupational health and safety information is much deserved,” said Minister Bradshaw. “As you celebrate your 25th anniversary, you mark another milestone with the opening of this wonderful new building.”
CCOHS, with 85 employees, is the sole tenant in the new building that was specially designed to meet the Centre’s specifications after a competitive site selection process to ensure the best quality structure at the most cost-effective price. All employees are now occupying the building.
The new building features many enhancements, including:
- Airy space bathed in natural light from surround windows.
- Open plan concept for 90% of workspaces, which enhances team culture and optimizes the use of the space.
- Efficient floor plan that improves client services and internal communication.
- Advanced telecommunications, state-of-the-art technology support and ergonomic workstations.
- 2,500 square-foot library with new high-density mobile storage units for easier use by clients, and open to the public by appointment.
- New conference rooms, plus a translation booth for simultaneous language interpreting.
- Fully wheelchair accessible, plus conveniently close to the GO Station and other public transit.
“At CCOHS, we value a close team culture and are proud of the long service of many staffers, so it has been gratifying to see an even more positive office environment with the new facility,” said Hong.
Helping to commemorate the 25th Anniversary and the new building today at an on-site ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house were: Canada’s Minister of Labour the Hon. Claudette Bradshaw, the Hon. Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Mr. Howard Currie, first Chair of CCOHS' Council of Governors, Mr. Stan Keyes, MP for Hamilton West (the federal riding in which the Centre is located), and Andrea Horwath, City Councillor for Ward 2 (in which CCOHS is located) as well as several federal and provincial elected representatives from the local area.
A special luncheon was held at the Sheraton Hotel for current and past members of the National Council and its Chairs, invited occupational health and safety professionals, industry leaders, trade union representatives, elected representatives from the Hamilton-Wentworth area, and local dignitaries. Minister Bradshaw was the guest of honour and speaker.
“The CCOHS mission is to be the Canadian centre of excellence for initiatives that prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the workplace,” said Hong. “Our expertise is widely recognized across the country and increasingly throughout the world. We look forward to continuing to assist governments, workers and managers in workplace health and safety for the next quarter century from our Hunter Street headquarters.”