Sourced from the Workers Health & Safety Centre
April 28 is the National Day of Mourning to recognize workers injured or killed on the job. The Canadian Labour Congress first declared the day in 1984. More than 100 countries now observe the Day too.
Workers die on the job every day. Every year, hundreds of thousands more suffer injury or illness because of their working conditions. They are not forgotten.
Unions, labour councils, families and community partners gather annually on April 28 to mourn these losses and vow to prevent more. They follow with action in the workplace and community, pressing for work that promotes dignity and health.
The Day of Mourning theme for this year is “A Strategy of Our Making: Tried, Tested, Proven, Priorities.” For Day of Mourning is also a day to remember our ultimate goal – ensuring workers return home healthy and whole every day of the year. However, safer, healthier work doesn’t just happen. It takes thoughtful planning and dedicated action. Years of experience and some research have shown us specifically what works and what doesn’t work to prevent worker injuries, illnesses and death. Using every effective tool available to us, we can build a strategy of our making.
2014 Day of Mourning event listing
Brochure, “Strategy of Our Making”