For Immediate Release
April 1st, 2015 – Hamilton, ON – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
On April 28th each year, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), along with organizations all around the world use this day, the National Day of Mourning, as an annual observance to honour workers whose lives have been lost, or affected by workplace injuries, disabilities or disease.
CCOHS reminds employees and employers that the National Day of Mourning offers them an opportunity to not only remember but to publicly renew their commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace.
To help promote awareness in the workplace of this important day, CCOHS has designed a series of bilingual posters made available free of charge as well as other tools including awareness stickers and commemorative pins.
More information about the National Day of Mourning can be found on the CCOHS website.
- The National Day of Mourning was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress. The Day of Mourning has since spread countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade.
- In 2013, 902* workplace deaths were recorded in Canada. While it’s the lowest total since 2000 when 882 fatalities were recorded, this number still represents 2.47 deaths every single day.
- In the 21 year period from 1993 to 2013, 18,941* people lost their lives due to work-related causes (an average of 902 deaths per year).
*Fatalities accepted in 2013 according to "Number of Fatalities, by Jurisdiction 1993-2013" summary table, statistics from the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada. Annual average according to "Number of Fatalities, by Jurisdiction 1993-2013" summary table, statistics from the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada. For further statistical information visit the AWCBC National Work Injuries Statistics Program.
“At CCOHS we view the National Day of Mourning as a day to not only remember those who have died or suffered a life-altering injury from work-related causes, but also their families who have to carry the burden of their loss. It’s also a day where we rededicate ourselves to protect the living and future generations of our working colleagues through commitment and action. I encourage all working Canadians to be change agents and help us raise awareness about the preventable nature of workplace accidents and illnesses so we can make an unhealthy environment socially unacceptable.” Steve Horvath, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
Jennifer Howse
Communications Officer
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)
(905) 572-2981, Ext. 4241
media@ccohs.ca
www.ccohs.ca
