Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
Across Canada, April 28 is designated as the Day of Mourning, a time when workers, families, employers and communities come together to remember those who have lost their lives in work-related incidents or occupational diseases.
In Fort St. James, a memorial service took place at the Worker’s Memorial in front of the Municipal Office in remembrance of community members who lost their lives.
“These may be brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and even your children.” It’s important that they be remembered,” Dave Birdi, City Councillor said as he opened the service with a moment of silence.
The annual event brought a number of workers from local industries, Fort St. James District and from WorkSafeBC.
George Church, Senior regional officer for WorkSafeBC, thanked everyone for their support as Fort St. James continues to be a big supporter of the event.
In 2016, WorkSafeBC participated in the Vancouver ceremony and supported about 30 Day of Mourning ceremonies across the province.
WorkSafeBC statistics in 2015:
- 122 claims were accepted for death benefits; there were 173 worker deaths in 2014 and 128 in 2013.
- Of the 122 work-related deaths accepted in 2015, 72 were the result of occupational diseases, many of them related to the exposure of asbestos. (48)
- Traumatic fatalities accounted for 50 deaths; 41 from incidents at the worksite and 9 as a result of motor vehicle incidents.
- A total of 102,707 claims were accepted for short-term disability, long-term disability and heath care only claims.
- Work-related deaths by gender – 7 female and 115 male
For more information about workplace safety visit: www.worksafebc.com