Minister Recognizes National Day of Mourning

Tomorrow (Saturday, April 28) is the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job, or suffering from industrial illness. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Honourable Paul Davis, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission, will participate in a wreath laying ceremony at noon at Confederation Building.

“Injury, illness and loss of life resulting from workplace incidents, are key areas of focus for Service NL,” said Minister Davis. “It is important that we take a moment each year to specifically remember those who have experienced this loss, and to support their friends and family, whose lives have been affected by such workplace incidents.”

The National 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 and has been adopted by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and the International Confederation of Free Trade.

The Occupational Health and Safety Branch of Service NL has taken a number of steps to modernize and strengthen the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations. Most recently, the mining safety requirements were consolidated into the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2012. This exercise included enhancements and modernization of the regulations in areas such as ventilation, mine design and emergency procedures for mine rescue.

In the past two years, the number of workplace injuries resulting in lost-time compensation claims has remained unchanged, and for 2011 this represented 1.8 incidents per 100 workers. In addition, in 2011 the rate of claims for young workers is below the provincial average, with 1.7 incidents per 100 young workers.

The wreath laying ceremony will take place at noon tomorrow (Saturday, April 28) in the Main Lobby, East Block, Confederation Building.

“The activities of our government and the Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission are contributing towards positive trends in reducing the number of incidents and injuries in the workplace,” said Minister Davis. “We must ensure that we remain vigilant and work with all stakeholders – employers, employees and industry partners to continue to develop a culture of safety in our workplaces.”

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Media contact:
Hugh Donnan
Director of Communications
Service NL
709-729-4860, 725-6511
hughdonnan@gov.nl.ca 

2012 04 27             9:50 a.m.