Labour Research March 2001

Health & Safety Matters

Workers' Memorial Day events

"Remember the dead - Fight for the living" is the slogan of Workers' Memorial Day which takes place every year on April 28th. On this day activities are organised all over the world to remember those killed or disabled by their work.

The event originated in Canada in 1985 and has since been taken up by unions in many countries. The TUC formally adopted the day in 1999.

On average 300 UK workers die each year in what the HSE says are mostly preventable accidents. However this does not include the 850-900 people killed each year in work-related road traffic accidents, or the estimated 20,000 deaths from occupational illnesses such as mesothelioma.

For further information on local activities contact your union or Greater Manchester Hazards Centre, tel: 0161 953 4037 or London Hazards Centre, tel: 0207 794 4702, website: www.lhc.org.uk