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 who have been 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 prioritises 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.
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). 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, which is 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 prioritise safety and to work towards eliminating workplace hazards.
An effective program for your workplace should include:
Creating and maintaining an effective health and safety plan doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. WorkSafe BC offers a useful guide that can assist you in creating 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
In 1991, eight years following the initiation of the Day of Remembrance by the Canadian Labour Congress, 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.
Employers and employees can participate in the Day of Mourning by attending ceremonies, lowering flags to half-mast in remembrance, and taking a moment of silence to honour those who have lost their lives or been impacted by workplace incidents. They can also advocate for better health and safety initiatives in their workplaces and communities.
Practical steps that businesses can take to improve workplace health and safety include providing training for new and young employees, conducting regular safety meetings and inspections, defining roles and responsibilities for safety, and implementing a schedule for maintenance and review of the safety program. Creating and maintaining an effective health and safety plan can help prevent incidents of injury, illness, and fatalities in the workplace.
There are several resources available to businesses to support them in creating and maintaining effective health and safety programs. Organizations like WorkSafe BC offer useful guides and tools to assist businesses in developing robust health and safety programs. These resources typically include information on providing training for employees, conducting safety meetings and inspections, defining roles and responsibilities for safety, and implementing maintenance and review schedules for the safety program. By utilizing these resources, businesses can prioritize the well-being of their employees and work towards eliminating workplace hazards to prevent incidents of injury, illness, and fatalities.
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In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we work on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
