OSEA Safety Blog

Worker's Memorial Day

Monday, April 3, 2017 Michele Pratt

April 28th will commemorate Workers’ Memorial Day. Established in 1970 through the AFL-CIO as a remembrance for those workers who have been killed, disabled or injured while at work. The slogan for the day is Remember the Dead-Fight for the living. Events are organized worldwide.

The International Labor Organization sites the following statistics for worldwide incidents:

  • More than 2 million men and women die each year because of work-related accidents and diseases.
  • Hazardous substances kill 440,000 workers annually, asbestos claiming 100,000 lives
  • One worker dies every 15 seconds worldwide; 6,000 workers die every day.
  • The most common workplace injuries that occur are falls to lower levels; slips trips and falls.
  • OSHA Statistics show the effectiveness of Injury and Illness Prevention programs indicating 43% increased productivity, 28% reduced cost, 7% retention of employees, 6% better employee morale and greater job satisfaction, 16% remaining were other miscellaneous benefits.

These statistics support our objective to assist workers in going home safely.

More information on Workers Memorial Day can be found here:

https://aflcio.org/about/conferences/workers-memorial-day

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