Enzo Garritano
President & CEO, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
Mark the National Day of Mourning by committing to make every day safer for workers.
On April 28, 2023, Canadians will observe the National Day of Mourning. For decades, the day has been dedicated to remembering and honouring those who have died, suffered an injury, or acquired an illness while on the job or due to their work.
It’s also a day to recognize that all workplace deaths, injuries, and illnesses are preventable.
We have the knowledge, tools, and resources to minimize any risks that individuals face in the performance of their jobs. Collectively, we must keep our promise to ensure that every worker can return home safely at the end of each workday.
We can all contribute to health and safety
About 350 Canadians die each year from an on-the-job incident. Hundreds more are lost due to longer-term illnesses resulting from exposures at work, and thousands of workers suffer life-altering injuries. Countless others — each worker’s family, friends, and communities — must also endure the lasting effects of workplace incidents.
Every one of these deaths and serious injuries is a tragedy. Every one of us has a role to play in making sure they don’t happen.
For employers, keeping your promise means protecting the workers under your care. It’s not enough to simply comply with health and safety laws and regulations. Better is to build health and safety into your day-to-day operations. Develop policies and procedures focused on recognizing, assessing, and controlling workplace hazards. Clearly communicate those hazards to workers. And provide them with the training and tools they need to conduct their work safely.
Keeping your promise as a worker starts with knowing your rights — to know about hazards, to participate in improving health and safety at your workplace, and to refuse unsafe work. But it also means being diligent about following legislation, your company’s policies and procedures, and industry best practices on matters such as the correct use of personal protective equipment.
The promise of accessible tools and training
The Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) also has a promise to keep. As Ontario’s trusted resource for health and safety information and training for the construction, electrical utilities, and transportation industries, the IHSA knows the challenges that businesses face when it comes to investing in health and safety — but also the rewards that come from doing so.
It’s why we work tirelessly to guide employers who want to take the next steps to build health and safety into every aspect of their workplaces. It’s why we provide workers with the accessible resources and expert-led training they need to get the job done safely and effectively.
And it’s why we continue to honour Canada’s fallen workers — by learning from workplace incidents and working every day to prevent them from happening again.
Visit ihsa.ca to access free resources to help you and those you care about work safely.
