A total of 165 people died last year from work-related injury or illness in Alberta, and the loss to family, friends and co-workers were acknowledged at the Day of Mourning ceremony in Red Deer on Friday.
In 2022, there were 161 people who died in Alberta. In 2021, there were 178 deaths.
Across Canada, an average of three people die from work injuries or illness each day.
“Preventing workplace deaths, injuries and diseases can only be achieved if we collectively focus our efforts on creating safe and healthy workplaces,” said Mayor Ken Johnston who was one of the speakers at the ceremony held at Bower Ponds where wreaths were placed at the Fallen Worker Tribute.
About 55 people attended the ceremony held in advance of the official Day of Mourning on April 28.
Brad Vonkeman, chair of the Parkland Regional Safety Committee, said the committee organizes the event to raise awareness about worker welfare and to push for improvements so everyone goes home safely at the end of the day.
“That really is the goal,” Vonkeman said.
“Every workplace has its own set of challenges, its own set of hazards. Each organization is responsible to try and protect their own workers.”
He said the committee may be focused on the construction industry, but health and safety issues can happen anywhere.
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In 2020, Dr. Walter Reynolds died after he was attacked while working at the Village Mall Walk-In Clinic.
Dr. James McIntyre, board member with the Red Deer Primary Care Network, said after Reynolds tragic death the network spearheaded a study to improve the safety of doctors, staff and patients at medical clinics.
He said doctor’s offices are the last place to expect safety threats, but staff are definitely more vigilant.
“We were able to get that message out to all of the clinics in Red Deer and we have made changes to increase the safety,” McIntyre said.
“It’s important that we never forget. One death is too many.”
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In a statement, Friends of Medicare said there is much work to do in Alberta to ensure safer, healthier workplaces, including in health care where staff are experiencing rising rates of violence.
“Health care workers deserve to be safe when they show up to care for us. We need a violence-prevention plan in place that includes addressing rampant short-staffing throughout our health care system. Violence is not part of the job,” the advocacy group said.
United Nurses of Alberta said the province is chipping away at worker safety and health.
“The work of nursing must be done with renewed attention to the safety of health care workers, their patients, their families and friends, and everyone who uses medical facilities in Alberta,” said UNA President Heather Smith, in a statement.
“The government’s misplaced priorities in health care and its hostility to regulation that is needed to ensure health care facilities are safe places is a real and growing concern.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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