OTTAWA – Marked annually in Canada, the Day of Mourning honours workers who have lost their lives, sustained injuries or experienced an illness due to workplace incidents. Organizations, workers and communities are urged to renew their commitment to protecting all workers and preventing future workplace tragedies by not only taking a moment of silence at 11 a.m. but by executing safe workplaces each and every day.
“Behind every workplace tragedy is a community of family, friends and co-workers. The suffering caused by each work-related tragedy extends far beyond the worker,” said Anne Tennier, president and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) in a statement. “The Day of Mourning reminds us why we must continue working toward healthier and safer workplaces for everyone.”
According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, in 2023 there were 1,057 workplace fatalities recorded in Canada. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15 to 24, the CCOHS notes.
There were also 274,022 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease, including 32,861 from workers aged 15 to 24. For more information about the Day of Mourning, visit www.ccohs.ca/events/mourning.
There are also several resources the Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB) has compiled for workers and employers.
Threads of Life
If you or a loved one have been affected by a workplace death, injury or illness, The Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, may be able to help.
WSIB safety resources
The Safety Check feature to check the safety record of businesses across Ontario. The Health and Safety Excellence program to develop a health and safety program for your business.
