In Canada, April 28th has been declared the national “Day of Mourning” in remembrance of those men and women who died from work related injury or illness.
Across the three Western Canadian Provinces, the number of people who died last year as a result of work related circumstances are:
- 158 workers in British Columbia
- 166 in Alberta,
- 27 in Saskatchewan
Sadly this is a total of 351 workers who lost their lives in 2017 across our work territory. Incredibly, if we take a quick look back in time, 319 workers lost their lives in 2016, whereas 279 men and women were lost in 2015.
When we stop to consider last year’s sluggish economy it’s shocking to realize that more people lost their lives last year due to work related reasons than the previous two years. Doesn’t make sense, does it? Whatever the reason, truly one work related fatality is one too many. Clearly we have a very long way to go when it comes to work place safety in Western Canada.
Let’s each take a silent moment to offer our respect and prayers for all these friends and co-workers who’ve died, not only last year but in past years as well. After all, the hurt never goes away.
As we consider the pain, suffering and tragedy that comes from these losses, it becomes all too clear that when it comes to workplace safety, ZERO injuries is the only result any of us should ever accept.
Going forward in 2018, let’s use this somber memorial as motivation to renew our own personal commitment to safety. Let’s challenge ourselves to each make a serious, conscious effort to make safety a top priority in everything we do at work so that ultimately we can all go home at the end of the day, and enjoy our most precious gift of all…life itself.