Day of Mourning Ceremony Remembers 27 Workers

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Day of Mourning Ceremony Remembers 27 Workers

Premier John Hamm and Environment and Labour Minister Kerry Morash joined the president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour, Rick Clarke, at a solemn ceremony at Province House today, April 28, to honour the thousands of Nova Scotians who were injured, and the 27 who died, because of work-related accidents or illness in 2004.

Every year on this date, government and labour leaders remember workers killed or injured on the job and renew their commitment to making Nova Scotia an accident-free province. This year's theme is "A death in the workplace touches all of us."

"The number of lives taken from us or forever changed by workplace injuries is simply too high," said the premier. "While today is a day of mourning, it should also be a day of resolve. Employers, workers and government must all resolve to ensure safety comes first."

"Today we are here to commemorate and mourn these 27 deaths and those who have come before them," said Mr. Morash. "Tragedies in the workplace are sobering and disturbing events for all of us, but most especially for the families, friends, and co-workers of the victims."

Mr. Morash said Nova Scotia communities have been changed forever by these incidents. "A mother won't be there to see her children grow up, a brother won't be there to lend a helping hand, and a grandfather won't be there to lend his wisdom. We are losing these good people and the worst thing about it is that these deaths and illnesses are mostly predictable and preventable."

According to Workers' Compensation Board statistics, during a typical day in Nova Scotia, more than 440,000 people go to work. On any given day, 94 people will get hurt at work and need medical attention. Twenty-five of them will be unable to return to work the next day. In the next 14 days, someone will die as a result of their work.

"As we gather for this year's Day of Mourning, the alarming number of deaths and injuries at workplaces means that before these numbers can be reduced, there has to be a collective will of all parties to do so," said Rick Clarke, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. "We need the political commitment and dedication to strengthen not only occupational health and safety laws, but all workplace laws that give workers rights to protect them, as well as proactive enforcement."

During the ceremony, Mr. Morash called on employers and employees to intensify their health and safety practices and to renew their commitment to reducing workplace injury and illness.

Three years ago, a native Nova Scotia red maple tree and plaque were placed on the grounds of Province House to honour the memory of those who lost their lives on the job, and to reaffirm government and labour's joint commitment to preventing work- related injury and illness.

For information on workplace health and safety see the Work Safe For Life website at www.worksafeforlife.ca or call 1-800-952- 2687.