Brother Michael J. Murphy from CUPE 1615, at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland/Labrador was awarded the 2007 Health and Safety Award at this year’s national convention.
“There are a lot of people to thank because it takes more than one person to win this award,” said Brother Murphy. “It takes the effort of many and it’s only together that we can make progress on health and safety issues.”
Brother Murphy is a tireless advocate for workplace health and safety. At the local level Mike has served as a member and chair of the CUPE 1615 health and safety committee, is the co-chair of the joint health and safety committee at Memorial University, and is a member of both the Faculty of Science and Biochemistry Department health and safety committees.
He has pushed his employer to take responsibility for health and safety and inform workers of the potential hazards in the workplace. He has forced his employer to involve workers in the process of creating a healthy and safe workplace through constant advocacy of workers’ health and safety rights.
From indoor air quality improvements to protecting workers from exhaust fumes to infusing university operating procedures with a consistent and progressive health and safety approach, Brother Murphy puts health and safety first and foremost.
“I thank you for this award and invite everyone to St. John’s for the national health and safety conference in October 2008,” said Brother Murphy.