April 16, 2012 – The IAFF is encouraging its affiliates to observe Workers Memorial Day and the National Day of Mourning on April 28, remembering those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe workplaces.

In 1989, April 28 was chosen as Workers Memorial Day because it is the anniversary of the day Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act (OSHA) went into effect. OSHA protects workers by instituting occupational safety and health standards that cultivate safe working environments and remove recognized hazards that may cause death or serious harm to workers.

The AFL-CIO is focusing this year’s observance on renewing the fight for strong health and safety precautions. The theme is “Safe Jobs Save Lives. Keep the Promise Alive.” The organization cautions that many employers still engage in practices dangerous to their employees and those practices cannot go ignored.

The Canadian National Day of Mourning is also observed on April 28. It commemorates workers who have been killed, injured or suffered illness due to workplace-related hazards and incidents. In 1984, the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) officially declared it an annual day of remembrance. In December 1990, this day became a national observance with the passing of the Workers Mourning Day Act so that on April 28, 1991, it was officially made the National Day of Mourning for persons killed or injured in the workplace.

The IAFF, the AFL-CIO and the CLC encourage union members to get involved and organize actions, activities or observances in the workplace or the community to highlight the toll of job injuries and deaths, and demand better job safety protections.

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