The National Day of Mourning has been recognized to remember and honour those lives lost or injured because of their work since 1985, with the annual event’s missions reminding Merrittonians to pause, reflect, and remember this April 28.
Across Canada, and across the world, workers gather to honour those who lost their lives or were injured from work, and renew their commitment to the prevention of accidents. In 1991, six years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Parliament of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act making April 28 an official Day of Mourning. The Day of Mourning looks to build awareness and safety on the job. A safe workplace is possible, and more necessary and relevant than ever, with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to stay in the forefront of most health and safety plans.
According to WorksafeBC’s most recent statistics, British Columbians missed 3.2 million days of work collectively in 2019. The worker’s compensation organization also accepted 151 work-related death claims. WorksafeBC has also taken preventative measures to protect workers in Merritt, with 12 penalties imposed on employers for safety violations since 2014.
According to the organization’s website, the administrative penalties are the result of the employer failing to take sufficient precautions to prevent workplace injuries or illnesses. Prevention is one of the key aspects of the National Day of Mourning.
“It is a day not only to remember those we’ve lost to workplace fatalities, or who have been impacted by injuries and illnesses, but also to turn our attention to prevention, so that all can be safe on the job,” said Anne Tennier, President and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
“It is a day not only to remember those we’ve lost to workplace fatalities, or who have been impacted by injuries and illnesses, but also to turn our attention to prevention, so that all can be safe on the job.”
CCOHS says that workplace deaths are preventable and looks to highlight the importance of safe work and education. The Occupational Health and Safety Act entitles workers to three rights: the right to know about health and safety matters, the right to participate in decisions that could affect their health and safety, and the right to refuse work that could affect their health and safety and that of others. Knowing these rights and when to exercise them is key to prevention of workplace death and injury.
Support is available for the workers and the loved ones of those killed or injured on the job, through WorksafeBC’s workers compensation system and organization such as Threads of Life, a Canadian registered charity dedicated to supporting families after a workplace fatality, life-altering injury, or occupational disease. The charity offers support groups and resources, online and in person, free of charge.
While there are no plans for an official ceremony in the community, Merrittonians can get online and involved by posting a dedication to a fallen or injured worker on BC’s digital “dedication wall,” as well as attending the CCOHS’s Safety and Health Week free online events from May 2-5.
“Our thoughts are also with the families and loved ones whose lives have been forever changed by these workplace tragedies, most of which were preventable. The most fundamental right of workers in Canada is to return home from the job, safe and sound.”
The Merritt Herald encourages organizations and individuals to observe a minute of silence at 11am on April 28 to remember workers who have died, were injured, or became ill from their job.. For more information, or to access resources, visit: www.dayofmourning.bc.ca.
