Day of Mourning- A Time to Reflect on Workplace Health and Safety

Every year in Canada, too many workers tragically lose their lives or suffer serious injuries and illnesses because of their work. Each loss is a heartbreaking tragedy that deeply impacts their families and loved ones.

On April 28th, workers and their families from around the world gather to observe the Day of Mourning. This special day is a time to honour and remember those affected by workplace incidents. It's also an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of health and safety at work and advocate for better conditions for all workers.

As we lower our flags and take a moment to honour their memory, we are reminded of the need to recommit ourselves to improving workplace health and safety to prevent future tragedies. By creating a workplace that prioritizes the well-being of employees and their families, we can make a real difference in ensuring everyone feels safe and supported. Let's take this opportunity to renew our dedication to creating a workplace where everyone can feel safe and supported.

Stark Reminder

Last year, 165 Albertans died from work-related injuries and occupational disease.?

In 2022, Canada recorded 993 workplace fatalities, including 33 young workers aged 15-24, as reported by the Association of Workers' Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC/ACATC) . These tragic losses have impacted each one of their families, forever changing their lives. The impact of these deaths also extends to workplaces, where employers, co-workers, and customers all feel the lasting effects of the loss.

In addition to the 993 workplace fatalities in 2022, there were 348,747 accepted claims for lost time due to work-related injuries or diseases, an increase of 71,530 from the previous year. This includes 40,203 claims from workers aged 15-24. These statistics only account for what is reported and accepted by compensation boards, indicating that the actual number of impacted workers is likely even higher.

According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, since 1985, over 25,000 workers have died due to work-related injury or disease.?

These numbers are a sobering reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize safety and to work towards eliminating workplace hazards.

3 Ways to Make the Day of Mourning Matter in Your Company

• Perform an annual assessment of your health and safety initiatives. This practice will help guarantee the safety of both yourself and your employees while at work.

• Attend a Day of Mourning ceremony and encourage your staff to do the same. Visit https://canadianlabour.ca/events/dom2024/ for a list of all of the ceremonies in Canada.?

• Pledge to foster a workplace environment centred on health and safety to minimize incidents of injury, illness, and fatalities. Even a single work-related fatality is unacceptable.

Health and Safety for Your Company: How to Get Started

An effective program for your workplace should include:

• Providing health and safety training for new and young employees
• Establishing a plan for conducting regular safety meetings and inspections
• Clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of employers, supervisors, and workers
• Implementing a schedule for regular maintenance and review of the safety program

Creating and maintaining an effective health and safety plan doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. WorkSafeBC offers a helpful guide that can assist your organization create a robust health and safety program to ensure the safety of you and your employees. Check it out here: Developing a health & safety program - WorkSafeBC?

History

In 1991, eight years following the initiation of the Day of Remembrance by the Canadian Labour Congress - Congrès du travail du Canada , the Parliament of Canada approved the Workers Mourning Day Act, designating April 28 as an official Day of Mourning. Over time, this day has evolved into Workers' Memorial Day and is observed in over 100 countries worldwide.?

National Day of Mourning - April 28