ICTU president and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan will join representatives of the Government, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and employers’ bodies’ to mark ‘workers’ memorial day’ on 28th April.
The annual commemorative event, which takes place at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1 from 8.45am, remembers those killed or injured in workplace accidents.
Kevin will be joined by HSA chief Sharon McGuinness and Minister Damien English to lay a wreath on behalf of the state to remember the workers we have lost.
Last year, 38 people lost their lives in workplace related accidents and almost 500 were killed in work-related incidents over the last decade. Many thousands were severely injured.
This year’s memorial will also recognise the many workers whose lives were claimed by Covid-19 over the last two years.
The important occasion also collectively recommits to making workplaces safer. By working together and promoting the practice of safety and health in workplaces throughout Ireland, we can achieve a significant drop in these dreadful numbers.
Fórsa members and others are being encouraged to use the hashtag #WorkersMemorialDay and #IWMD22 to show their your support for the bereaved on social media.
Workers representing a variety of sectors will also lay flowers in memory of those who have been killed, injured or made ill at work.
Global figures show that a worker dies at least once every ten seconds. Even more are left with life-altering injuries and illnesses because their employer did not protect them.
Workers’ memorial day presents an important opportunity to remember and to consolidate everyone’s focus around a single day with the single message that workplace deaths are preventable.
Get more information and event details HERE.