The Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, commemorates workers who lost their lives due to workplace injuries or diseases. Between 2000 and 2009, 2,213 people died due to work-related causes in BC. Within the four main sectors of the BC tourism industry (hotels, ski hills, restaurants and pubs, bars, lounges and nightclubs), 11 workplace fatalities occurred since 2003 - that is 11 too many.
Your workplace can take part by:
The Day of Mourning was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress. The Day of Mourning has since spread to about 80 countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade. The Canadian flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-mast and workers will light candles, don ribbons and black armbands and observe moments of silence. Businesses are asked to participate by declaring April 28 a Day of Mourning and to strive to prevent workplace deaths, illnesses and injuries. The Centre for Occupational Health & Safety (CCOHS) hopes that the annual observance of this day will strengthen the resolve to establish safe conditions in the workplace for all. It is as much a day to remember the dead as it is a call to protect the living.
