Workers’ Memorial Day, also known as International Workers’ Memorial Day or International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured, takes place annually around the world on April 28.
It’s the date every year when trade union and employer groups worldwide, as well as individual organisations, remember those who have been killed or injured in work-related incidents and conduct events, workshops, attend memorial events and a whole host of other activities to mark the day. In Ireland, the ICTU, IBEC, Health and Safety Authority, Construction Industry Federation and National Irish Safety Organisation come together each year to mark the occasion with a programme of joint awareness raising initiatives.
In the last 10 years in Ireland, over 460 people were killed in work-related incidents and thousands more badly injured. Data from the HSA shows that 27 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2022 compared to 38 in 2021, representing the lowest figure recorded since the Authority was established over thirty years ago. The construction sector saw a decline of 30% with 7 fatalities in 2022 compared to ten in 2021. This is great to see, a very positive and welcomed decline of over 30% work-related fatalities in 2022.
Paddy Toye, Quality, Safety & Compliance Manager commented
“Worker safety and health is everyone’s business and can only be tackled through a collaborative approach. We all must commit to do what we can to prevent further loss or further injury in the workplace.
Every work-related death is preventable and vigilance around health and safety in Irish workplaces is still imperative. It is positive to see such a substantial decline in work-related fatalities in 2022
We urge that everyone on site be extra vigilant, attend Toolbox Talks, report near misses and accidents to help prevent fatalities in the workplace. Look out for your own safety and that of others and make that a key priority every day when entering site. Every worker has a basic right to go to work and return home to their family, friends and communities without having to suffer any impact or injury to their safety or health”.
Ward Personnel will be raising awareness to our workers, work safe and home safe.
To mark this Memorial Day by using the hashtags #WorkersMemorialDay and #IWMD23 on all social media posts, and the Memorial Day logo in our signature block.
Please take a moment on Friday 28th April 2023 to remember all those workers that have lost their lives last year to workplace injury or disease.