Dick Martin Award —
For the Betterment of Occupational Health

Spiritual Essence Created by First Nations artist Steven Hearns

This award honours the memory of Brother Dick Martin for promotion or education of occupational health in Manitoba. The award is presented every three years at the MFL Occupational Health Centre's Annual General Meeting which coincides with the triennial MFL Convention.

The award was first given out in 2003, with a second set of awards given out during the 2006 fall convention of the Manitoba Federation of Labour.

Background - Eligibility - Recipient Selection
How to Nominate - Previous Winners

Background to the Award

Dick Martin - A Champion of Occupational Health (1944 - 2001)

In the early 1980s, Manitoba labour activists began to push for the establishment of a worker run health and safety centre. It seemed like an impossible dream - but Dick Martin, who was then President of the Manitoba Federation Labour, saw it as a reality and became a champion for the cause.

Without his commitment the Centre might never have been established. He made occupational health and safety a priority with the Manitoba Federation of Labour and the Manitoba government. As a result of Dick's leadership, many other people's hard work, and the commitment of the labour movement, the Centre opened in the spring of 1983.

Dick continued to be a passionate fighter for occupational health and safety for workers until his death in 2001.

Who is Eligible to Receive This Award

The person(s) selected for this prestigious award must meet some or all of the following criteria.

• Involved in occupational health issues for at least one year.
• Demonstrated to others the principles, ideals and goals of the MFL Occupational Health Centre.
• Participated in the investigation, research and control of an occupational hazard to protect the health and well being of workers in any workplace regardless of size.
• Included the involvement of the MFL Occupational Health Centre, staff or resources in solving an occupational health hazard.
• Participated in the education of workers, managers or workplace joint health and safety committees to prevent and control occupational hazards.
• Made a significant contribution to the betterment of occupational health through legislative efforts or enforcement.

How an Award Recipient is Selected

The deadline for the receipt of nominations of individuals to be considered for receipt of a 2009 Dick Martin Award is August 2, 2009. The Selection Committee consists of the executive of the MFL Occupational Health Centre Board of Directors. The selection committee will meet in August and select candidates from among the nominations.

How to Nominate Someone

You are welcome to nominate an individual for this award. The following questions may be addressed in a letter of nomination.

1. Has the nominee made any advancement in occupational health issues in their workplace, their profession, the community or the labour movement?
2. Has the nominee been a role model for health and safety activists in the workplace, community or labour movement?
3. Describe any occupational hazard related project that the nominee has participated in and note the inclusion of the MFL Occupational Health Centre resources or staff.
4. Describe how the nominee raised awareness of occupational health issues through education or other methods.
5. How has the nominee promoted the principles and goals of the MFL Occupational Health Centre?
6. Please indicate any appointments to the Board of the MFL Occupational Health Centre that the nominee has participated on which are relevant to occupational health.
7. Please include any other comments or background information that you think would assist the Selection Committee.

Send your nomination to:
Occupational Health Centre
Selection Committee Dick Martin Award
102-275 Broadway
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4M6
or email: mflohc@mflohc.mb.ca

2006 Winners of This Award

Harry Mesman has participated in many ways to bring about changes to a large number of individual workplaces.He helped in establishing and protecting rights, strong health and safety laws and just compensation for the injured and disabled. Education, always a high priority, received much of this brother's time. In addition to securing the rights of workers, Harry Mesmanparticipated when called upon to fill positions on committees or boards that promote safer or healthier workplaces. This commitment to occupational health also included participating on the Occupation Health Centre's Board of Directors for many years as well as the Minister's Advisory Council on Workplace Safety and Health.

Les Ellsworth served as an elected safety and health rep for 21 years and is a passionate and strong believer in the power of the worker. His commitment included passing the message to the youth of his community, negotiating money from the employer to study workplace health impacts on his members and promoting the rights of workers on a provincial, national and international stage.Les Ellsworth also worked within his community, his local and especially his family, and is from Brother Dick Martin's own Local in Thompson.

Ellen Olfert has workers' safety and health not only in her heart but constantly in her mind's eye. Indeed, her every waking moment is dedicated to finding new ways to reach out and get the message of safety and health to as many Manitobans as possible. Ellen Olfert has built a network of dedicated activists who will go anywhere at any time to bring the message of workers' rights and workers' safety. She has single handedly been responsible for making over 120,000 young workers aware of their rights. She has impacted the lives of so many by making sure young workers come home alive and healthy.