April 28 – A Day of Mourning Remembers Manitobans Who Lost Their Lives

WINNIPEG – April 28 is a nationally recognized Day of Mourning, a day to remember those who have died, experienced illness or been injured as a result of their work. Today commemorates 18 Manitobans who died on the job in 2009 as well as 19 who died from occupational disease and became WCB fatalities in 2009.

“Today we remember the men and women of Manitoba who did not make it home safely from work. It is a day for all of us to renew our commitment to stronger action for the prevention of injuries, illnesses and fatalities in our workplaces,” said Jennifer Howard, Minister of Labour and Immigration.

“Manitoba has seen a reduction in the injury rate by up to 30 per cent since 2000. However, we must remain committed to strengthening our efforts to make our workplaces safer. I announced recently that our government is adding five new workplace safety and health officers in 2010. These additional staff fulfill government’s commitment to add 20 new safety and health officers, and will help us reach more workplaces and increase inspections and prevention activity across the province,” added Howard.

The SAFE Workers of Tomorrow held a Leaders’ Walk that began at the Union Centre on Broadway and concluded at the Manitoba Legislature where speeches were held.

Over 100 high school students attended the event, including students from Collège St. Norbert Collegiate. Students remembered youth who lost their lives at work, spoke about the importance of workplace safety, and emphasized that young workers in Manitoba expect to work in safe workplaces.

"It's important for young workers to know that it is their employer's responsibility to ensure that proper safety training is provided, so you are safe at work," said grade 12 Collège St. Norbert Collegiate student Ivan Valencia.

Over the past several years, the WCB and the Workplace Safety and Health Division have been working together with employers and workers on the SAFE Work program to develop a number of initiatives aimed at reducing injuries, illnesses and deaths on the job, and to foster a core belief among Manitobans that work-related injuries and illnesses are preventable.

“This year’s Day of Mourning theme is ‘Remembrance’,” said Michael Werier, WCB Chairperson. “Through initiatives such as the SAFE Work program, we honour those who have lost their lives, while also recognizing the gains we have made throughout Manitoba to make workplaces safer. We want to change the idea that injuries are an inevitable part of working life. Everyone should get to go home at the end of the day.”

Flags at provincial government buildings and the WCB building were lowered to half-mast.

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