American laborers form the backbone of our economy -- but our economic growth should never come at the cost of their safety or well-being. Those who work every day to put food on the table, provide for their families, or care for their fellow citizens should know their country has their back. Today, as we remember women and men taken from us too soon. – President Barak Obama commenting on Workers’ Memorial Day
Each year, April 28th commemorates National Workers’ Memorial Day, a day dedicated to honoring the memories of those who have died on the job. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) established National Workers’ Memorial Day in 1971 in an effort to acknowledge the suffering and losses caused by fatal workplace accidents while also declaring an ongoing commitment to keeping people safe and healthy at work.
While National Workers’ Memorial Day is being celebrated by various events throughout the U.S., in Denver, Colorado this morning, OSHA held a name reading ceremony at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Hall to commemorate the occasion.
As officials and workers across the U.S. come together today to honor those who have died on the job, many notable officials have issued important statements of support for this day.
Among them has been U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez who has noted:
Each year, Workers' Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives in the course of a day's work, and to recommit to keeping workers safe on the job. In 2015, as we mark the five-year anniversaries of three tragedies — the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, in which 11 workers lost their lives, the Upper Big Branch mine disaster which took the lives of 29 miners, and the Tesoro refinery explosion which killed seven workers — we are reminded that while we have made great strides in worker safety, we must do more.
OSHA's Regional Administrator in Denver, Greg Baxter, backed this up, noting:
This day is an opportunity for us to remember those in our community who lost their lives on the job and to reflect on how to make our workplaces safer to prevent senseless tragedies such as these in the future… No worker should have to choose between a paycheck and their life."
Are you taking time today to commemorate National Workers’ Memorial Day? If so, tell us how on Facebook and Google+ – we want to hear from you!
Have you been hurt at work? Or have you lost a loved one to a fatal work accident or occupational illness? If so, it’s time to contact an experienced Denver workers compensation attorney at the Law Office of Steven J. Picardi.
With more than 30 years of combined workers’ compensation experience, our attorneys have extensive knowledge of Colorado workers’ compensation law, strong credentials and a significant record of success. This has helped them to defend employers and represent injured employees in all phases of workers’ compensation litigation. Our firm’s lawyers remain abreast of the latest changes in workers’ compensation laws and are ready to use their skills and knowledge to your advantage.
For experienced legal advocacy in defending or filing a workers’ compensation claim, contact the Picardi Law Firm for a consultation by calling (303) 778-8881 or by emailing us using the form at the top of the screen.
