The Brock University community will join Canadians in observing the National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, by remembering workers who have died or suffered life-changing injuries on the job.

The University is lowering flags to half-mast and encourages observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m., as well as sharing any messages of support on social media with the hashtags #NationalDayOfMourning and #BrockU.

On any given workday in Canada, three people will either die from a job-related accident, suffer a life-altering injury or get an occupational disease. The most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada show 1,027 workplace fatalities in 2018, with an additional 264,438 accepted claims for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease. 

Along with paying respects to those who have lost their lives or suffered from illnesses related to a workplace incident, the Day of Mourning also serves as a reminder to ensure that intentional steps are taken to make workplaces safe.

“This is an opportunity to refocus and renew our commitment to health and safety,” said Brian Dzurban, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist. “The reality is that health and safety is everyone’s responsibility and we can each make individual choices to collectively make positive impacts to support the overall health and safety culture at Brock.”

Tributes can be submitted to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s Day of Mourning website.

 For more information, visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety website.