Posts Tagged ‘ occupational accidents ’

Fallen Workers Remembered this Workers’ Memorial Day

April 27th, 2010. By janem

Did you know that today is Workers’ Memorial Day? Not to be confused with Memorial Day in May, people worldwide will join together this April 28^th and remember those disabled, injured, made unwell or killed in the workplace. The purpose of this day is to sympathize with those who have suffered due to unsafe, negligent or unfair employment practices, and to raise awareness by encouraging and lobbying unions, lawyers and government for the fair, healthy and safe treatment of workers.

Canada first observed Workers’ Memorial Day in1984, and since that time trade unionists now mark April 28 as an International Day of Mourning:  the slogan “”Remember the dead, fight for the living,” has been adopted by the US (in 1989) and a host of nations, from Asia to Europe to Africa.

It’s important that the public play its part to keep workers safe and to keep in check the tendencies of companies and employers to choose profit over safety. Throughout the world, it is estimated that approximately 270 million accidents occur in the workplace, and that more than 150 million people acquire illnesses related to unsafe or toxic work environments.

April 28 is also the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Although OSHA and EPA have made considerable strides in controlling workplace incidents, the organizations say there is a long way to go. A spokesperson for a federation of international labor unions recently said that “…job fatalities, injuries and illnesses have been reduced significantly as have exposures to toxic substances such as asbestos, lead, benzene and cotton dust.”

But asbestos in the workplace is killing people at an alarming rate; people who were exposed Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Asbestos, mesothelioma, occupational accidents, workers' memorial day, workplace accidents. NSL
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