This year marks the 37th 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. This year, we remember workers who have been injured, made ill or who have died from all work-related causes, including the virus that causes COVID-19.
“One workplace death or injury is one too many,” said Laurie Hardwick, Director of Prevention Link. “Occupational health and safety are everyone’s responsibility, and we must collaboratively strengthen our resolve to ensure every Ontario worker gets home safe.”
In 2019, according to the most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada. In Ontario, 245 workers died, and 200,613 claims were registered with Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) in 2020.
“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 Lighthouse Initiative aims to do just that by helping newcomers to Ontario’s workforce, young workers, 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 in 12 languages, 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 commemorating National Day of Mourning events in their communities online this year. We encourage you to join a Day of Mourning virtual event in your community as well. A comprehensive list of Ontario-wide events and most recent statistics from Ontario are available on the Workers Health & Safety Centre website.
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, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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