OSHA, MSHA, Unions Remember Those Who Have Passed
Contributed by BSM Staff

WASHINGTON – OSHA, MSHA and the DOL will remind the nation this week of the importance of protecting workers as families, friends, co-workers and the community at-large gather for Workers Memorial Day Sunday, April 28 to honor those who didn’t come home at the end of their shift.

When the nation first observed Workers Memorial Day on April 28, 1970, an estimated 38 U.S. workers suffered fatal on-the-job injuries each day; many more endured debilitating respiratory diseases and other life-altering illnesses related to workplace exposures.

Today, work-related injuries in the U.S. claim about 15 lives a day, though in 2022, a reported 5,486 workers suffered fatal injuries, an increase of 296 over 2021.

“As we honor our fallen workers on Workers Memorial Day, we must remember that behind each workplace fatality there are loved ones enduring unimaginable grief,” said Doug Parker, assistant secretary for occupational safety and health. “It is for the lost workers and those left behind that we continue to fight for every worker’s right to a safe working environment. Our mission at OSHA is to ensure that when someone leaves for work, they know they’ll come home safe at the end of the day to the arms of their families and loved ones.”

To commemorate Workers Memorial Day, the department hosted a week-long series of events to educate employers on the importance of safe and healthy workplaces.

The series will culminate at an in-person and nationally livestreamed event Thursday, April 25 at 1 p.m. EDT at its Washington headquarters. OSHA and MSHA leaders will join AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities Board Member Stacy Sebald, whose 19-year-old son Mitchell McDaniel suffered fatal injuries in an agriculture incident in 2019.

“We come together on Workers Memorial Day to remember those we have lost in workplace accidents and to prevent work-related illnesses,” said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson. “At MSHA, we know a safe workplace isn’t a privilege – it’s every miner’s right. It is in the memory of fallen workers that we continue to advocate for each miner’s safety, health and dignity.”

Learn more about Workers Memorial Day events nationwide and view the April 25 livestream at www.osha.gov/workers-memorial#events.