NLIS 4
April 27, 2006
(Government Services)
(Human Resources, Labour and Employment)

National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will observe the National Day of Mourning with a wreath-laying ceremony at Confederation Building at 12:00 noon, tomorrow (Friday, April 28). Similar ceremonies to observe this day will also be held throughout the province.

The National Day of Mourning is a time to honour those who have died, suffered injury or experienced illness due to work-related causes, and has been observed on April 28 every year since 1990, when the Government of Canada passed the Workers Mourning Day Act.

�April 28 an important day for us all to remember workers who have been killed or injured on the job,� said Dianne Whalen, Minister of Government Services, and minister responsible for the Occupational Health and Safety Division. �The Day of Mourning is as much about a commitment to safer workplaces, as it is about remembering those who were killed or injured on the job. Workplace health and safety is an ongoing process, and we have come a long way in improving conditions in the workplace. However, there is still much to do to ensure that every employee in this province returns home safely at the end of the workday.�

In 2005, there were 25 work-related fatalities reported in Newfoundland and Labrador, 13 of which were due to accidents in the workplace. The other 12 deaths resulted from industrial disease.

�We are all responsible for our own health and safety in the workplace,� said Paul Shelley, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment, and minister responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission. �The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador works with businesses, labour associations and communities to foster an environment where we can significantly reduce human, social and economic loss. A healthy workplace means healthy employees, which is good for everyone.�

Media contact:
      Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Government Services, (709) 729-4860, 682-6593
      Alex Marland, Human Resources, Labour and Employment, (709) 729-4062, 690-6047

2006 04 27                                                      12:30 p.m.