National Day of Mourning to be marked this Friday

(Source: CCOHS)

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is reminding everyone that the National Day of Mourning is marked annually on April 28 in Canada. The date is dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives, suffered injury or illness on the job, or experienced a work-related tragedy, as well as a day to collectively renew commitments to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.

CCOHS is encouraging organizations, employees, communities, and individuals to hold or support an event, or to simply observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. this Friday.

The health and safety organization has also made a moment of silence video that can be shared or played in workplaces to honour those who have died or suffered injury or illness due to a work-related tragedy.

The organization says that by sharing these messages, you are reminding more people to put health and safety at the forefront of their work and helping to prevent further work-related injuries and loss of life.

According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), there were 1,081 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada in 2021. In addition, there were 277,217 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease. That was an increase of 23,820 from the previous year. CCOHS added that these statistics only include what is reported and accepted by the compensation boards, explaining that the total number of workers impacted, and worker’s loved ones, family members, friends and co-workers impacted, is even greater.

The Parliament of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act in 1991, making April 28 an official Day of Mourning. Additional information, including graphics for use on social media, is available on the CCOHS website.

www.ccohs.ca