National Day of Mourning

This year marks the 34^th annual National Day of Mourning, a day first declared in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress, to remember the many Ontario and Canadian workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness because of work-related incidents. Prevention Link honours and pays respect to the many families and friends who have been affected by these tragedies.

“One workplace death or injury is one too many,” said Laurie Hardwick, Director of Prevention Link. “It is everyone’s responsibility to help improve health and safety in the workplace and we must collaboratively strengthen our resolve to ensure every Ontario worker gets home safe.”

According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, 227 workplace fatalities were recorded provincially in 2017 and approximately 239,000 workers filed a claim as result of being injured or made sick at work.

Annually, thousands of injured workers suffer from resulting health complications, or undoubtedly, their injuries go unreported or are not attributed to their working conditions.

“It is vital for every Ontario worker to know their health and safety rights in the workplace from the first day they start a job,” said Hardwick. “Our new Lighthouse Initiative aims to do just that by helping newcomers to Ontario’s workforce and long-time workers in any sector learn more about their rights and the laws that guide them as a worker in our province.”

The Lighthouse Initiative offers critical information, via downloadable interactive fact sheets – with tips, quizzes and links – to help guide workers on their rights and obligations in Ontario workplaces. Visit preventionlink.ca/lighthouse to access the fact sheets, which are also available in a pocket-sized z-card format by emailing info@preventionlink.ca.

Prevention Link staff will be attending National Day of Mourning events around the province. A comprehensive list of Ontario-wide events is available on the Workers Health & Safety Centre website. You can also add your support for Day of Mourning via Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety’s thunderclap campaign. A single, one-time tweet or Facebook post will be sent on your behalf at the same time as other supporters on April 27 at 10:30 am EDT. It’s a secure, free and simple way to show that you support worker health and safety.

Prevention Link, a Government of Ontario supported initiative governed by the Ontario Federation of Labour Executive Committee, is a leading provider of training and advisory support on secondary prevention of workplace injury in the province. For information, visit preventionlink.ca and follow @PreventionLink on Facebook and Twitter.

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For further information:

Ogho Ikhalo
Senior Communications & Outreach Specialist
Prevention Link
416-443-7654
oikhalo@preventionlink.ca
OI/AS/COPE343

On this 33^rd annual National Day of Mourning, Prevention Link remembers and pays respect to the many Ontario and Canadian workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness because of work-related incidents. We also honour the many families and friends who have been deeply affected by these tragedies.

“Every worker has the right to return home safe and sound at the end of each work day,” said Rob Halpin, Executive Director of Prevention Link. “Our team remains boldly committed to working with employers, workers and our health and safety partners to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths.”

Approximately 230,000 Ontario workers are injured or made sick at work every year, thousands of others pass away years later due to resulting health complications and still other cases, undoubtedly, go unreported or unacknowledged.

“It is additionally crucial to recognize that mental health and illness is increasingly claiming the lives of more workers in many occupations across the province each year due to lack of conversation and acknowledgement of the disease as a significant health complication,” said Halpin.

Beginning May 6, Prevention Link will launch its new Occupational Mental Health and Illness 101 workshops. The half-day workshop, guided by Dr. Wendy Stanyon – a mental health nurse and academic – aims to open the conversation around mental health challenges in workplaces across Ontario.

“Occupational injuries and illnesses are a preventable workplace epidemic that continues to cost tens of thousands of lives and impact many working families in Ontario. We must continue to work collaboratively to ensure every working Ontarian gets home safe.”

Prevention Link staff will be attending National Day of Mourning events around the province.

Click here to read Prevention Link’s article in the Toronto Star’s “The Vicious Circle Of Workplace Injuries” insert.

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For further information:

Ogho Ikhalo,
Senior Communications & Outreach Specialist
Prevention Link
416-443-7654
oikhalo@preventionlink.ca
sf/cope343

“They Are Not Forgotten.” Prevention Link Recognizes National Day of Mourning

Together, We Can Prevent Occupational Injuries, Illnesses and Deaths