April 28 is a National Day of Mourning

Workers die on the job every day. Every year, hundreds of thousands more suffer injury or illness because of their working conditions. They are not forgotten. Unions, labour councils, families and community partners gather annually on April 28 to mourn these losses and vow to prevent more. They follow with action in the workplace and community pressing for work that promotes dignity and health.

April 28 is a National Day of Mourning to recognize workers injured or killed on the job. The Canadian Labour Congress first declared the Day in 1984. More than 100 countries now observe the Day too. 

On April 28

• attend a Day of Mourning event in your community
• encourage others to attend an event
• draft a message for your organization’s publication or web site
• work with local media to promote and cover the Day’s significance and events
• convince employers and public institutions to among other things lower flags to half-mast
• work with other interested groups to host related events.

Every day of the year

• educate others about health and safety rights, responsibilities and prevention measures
• insist on effective workplace prevention programs developed with full worker participation
• insist on training that supports the identification, assessment and control of workplace hazards
• encourage local media to report on health, safety and environmental issues
• press elected officials to support stronger regulations and better enforcement of existing laws
• create monuments to promote public awareness of workplace health and safety
• host events with similar objectives in mind.