Mourn for the Dead, Fight for the Living. The UK now officially recognises Workers' Memorial Day to commemorate the thousands of people who have died, been seriously injured or have been made ill through their work.The deaths of these workers were remembered at Barnsley Town Hall at 12 noon on the 28th April. A number of UNISON representatives joined employees from Raleys Solicitors who organised the event, Councillors, Council employees and members of the public to pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of workers worldwide who die in workplace ‘accidents’ every year.
Mick Clapham (MP), the Lord Mayor (John Parkinson) and officials from the NUM addressed those present prior to laying wreaths in remembrance of all those who have died at work . Councillor Joe Haywood then led a plaque laying ceremony, where TUC Secretary Brian Steele and the Lord Mayor unveiled a commemorative plaque in the Town Hall garden as a permanent reminder of those killed at work.
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2 comments postedon the 28th of april 2011 will be workers memorial day again and i have had some great support from a number of people including councilors and council employees and i would like to thank all those who have joined me in wearing the commemerative purple ribbon,and whilst this year i have been unsuccesful in getting the council to recognise workers memorial day it will be my task to get this day recognised by next year,
THANKYOU ALL
REMEMBER THE DIED AND FIGHT THE LIVING
Everyone should be able to go to work without having their health damaged or made worse. Yet every year, around two and a half million people are made ill because of work.
This is a huge number. Around half of these people are in pain because of injuries such as back pain, neck pain and RSI. A further half a million people have to take time off work because of stress.
Yet it is not work that makes people ill. Bad working practices and poor safety precautions are the cause.
Almost all work-related illness is avoidable, most of it through forward planning and good safety practices.
Dangerous or unhealthy practices in the workplace rightly cause strong feelings which can be used positively to bring about change and improvements.