National Day of Mourning puts spotlight on safety
By Adam Freill
Construction Health & SafetyThe industry pauses every April 28th to honour workers who have lost their lives, have been injured or suffered an illness due to their work.
(Image courtesy of CCOHS)
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) helped the industry mark National Day of Mourning on April 28; a day when workplaces come together to honour workers who have lost their lives, have been injured or suffered an illness due to their work.
Every year, thousands of workers in Canada are injured or killed on the job, reports CCOHS. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), in 2022 there were 993 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada, 33 of which were young workers between the ages of 15 and 24. Additionally, 348,747 accepted claims were reported for lost time due to work-related injuries or diseases. As the statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, the total number of workers affected on the job is known to be even greater.
“The National Day of Mourning is an opportunity to create awareness about workplace safety and reminds us to renew our commitment to ensure every worker goes home safe and healthy at the end of the workday,” stated CCOHS president and chief executive officer Anne Tennier. “Everyone can participate in the National Day of Mourning by taking a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on April 28 to remember those who lost their lives or experienced a life altering injury or illness due to their work.”
More information about the National Day of Mourning including resources to help spread awareness in the workplace is available on the CCOHS website.
