According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, more than 900 workplace deaths occurred in 2016, either on the job site or due to a related workplace illness or injury. While this number is striking, the additional family, friends, and co-workers who are affected by these tragedies can’t be numbered.
In 1991, the Parliament of Canada passed the Workers’ Mourning Day Act and designated April 28 as an official day of remembrance. Today, a day of mourning is now observed in more than 100 countries around the world to honour and respect those who have lost their lives due to workplace incidents.
At ContractorCheck, part of our mission is to provide opportunities for contractors and their clients to create healthy and safe working environments. That’s why we take time to observe Canada’s National Day of Mourning each year in memory and honour of those who have been injured or killed due to work-related accidents. We also observe this day as a way to acknowledge that there is more to be done to improve the health and safety of every workplace so that workers can be free to do their jobs with less risk.
You may notice that the Parliament of Canada flies the flag at half-mast on April 28, 2018, and businesses will observe this day in different ways. Most importantly, we should all take time to pause and remember those who have been lost and those whose lives we can work to protect as part of any workforce around the world.
Join us at ContractorCheck in observing the National Day of Mourning this year.