Today we mark International Workers’ Memorial Day.
It is a time to remember those who have lost their lives through work-related injury and illness, and to reaffirm our commitment to safer workplaces.
Peter McKinlay, Unison Lanarkshire Health Branch Secretary, said: “On 28 April each year we come together to remember those who have died either because of a workplace accident, ill health or diseases as a result of work.
“It is important that we continue to recognise that health and safety in the workplace is a worker’s right. The erosion of these rights has a significant impact on workers and their families and we must always defend safe work practice and conditions and improve, not reduce them for profit. Remember the dead fight for the living.”
The Health and Safety Executive annual statistics show, on average, 135 workers are killed at work and work-related accidents each year. They also estimate that there are around 13,000 deaths each year from occupational lung disease and cancer caused by past exposure at work to chemicals and dust such as asbestos or silica. We would need to add COVID-related deaths and illnesses to these statistics.
Trudi Marshall, Executive Nurse Director, said: “Within health and social care the focus is very much on how we support and help others. It is also vitally important that we remember health and safety in the work place and that we continue to focus on the safety of ourselves and those within our teams.”
Video of Peter McKinlay’s speech to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day.
