Every year, close to two thousand workers are injured at work on Prince Edward Island. Tragically, these injuries can be life altering or fatal.
“When a worker is injured, the repercussions affect not only the person but the family and our society as a whole,” said the Honourable Janice Sherry, Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour. “As the Minister responsible for Labour, our government strives to look after the safety and well-being of all workers across our Island.”
Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility. Employers must ensure that they provide proper training, equipment, and safe working conditions. Workers must follow safe work practices and try to protect themselves and their colleagues from injury. Government must ensure that occupational health and safety laws adequately protect Island workplaces and that these laws are enforced. And educators, family members, co-workers - anyone with a stake in workplace safety - all must raise awareness about safety matters at work and teach each other how to stay safe on the job.
“By working together, we will create a culture of workplace safety across the Island, for now and for the future,” said Workers Compensation Board Chair, Nancy Guptill.
All Islanders are invited to join the Federation of Labour, the Department of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, and the Workers Compensation Board at the annual Day of Mourning ceremony at Province House in Charlottetown on Thursday, April 28, beginning at 7 p.m. A public reception will follow.
“On this day our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives on the job. We mourn their loss,” said Carl Pursey, President of the PEI Federation of Labour. “We will continue to fight for the living - now more than ever.”
The Day of Mourning has been designated internationally as the occasion to remember all those who were killed, disabled or injured in the workplace. On this day, people come together to honour the memory, mourn the loss and dedicate to improve workplace health and safety.