Workers’ Memorial Week
Kevin Saunders
Safety Speaker | Motivational Speaker / Motivational Coach | Author at Saunders & Associates Speaking
Today marks the end of Workers’ Memorial Week (April 22-29). During this week we honor the many individuals who have lost their lives while on the job. If you think workplace fatalities are “few and far between” it’s time to look at some hard numbers.
According to the 2019 edition of the AFL-CIO report on workplace safety, the death and injury toll is far greater than most people would imagine. The report includes data from 2017, during which 5,147 deaths were recorded. An additional 95,000 deaths were attributed to on the-job illnesses. That means over 100,000 US workers lost their lives in 2017 due to hazardous working conditions.
Every company out there needs to take notice of this alarming number, especially when a large number of these fatalities can be prevented. After all, employers have a legal obligation to provide safe working conditions, regardless of industry.
Mark Vergnano, CEO of Chemours Co., stated, “Drawing national attention to this issue helps focus all stakeholders on significant ways that we can improve employee safety.