We need tough legislation - and tougher enforcement - to prevent workplace deaths and injuries By Paul Moist, CNW Telbec
Commentary for use on April 28 International Day of Mourning for Workers Killed or Injured on the Job
Three Canadian workers will be killed today in the peaceful pursuit of a living. Thousands more will be made sick, disabled or diseased by their work. Each year, a thousand workers are killed and one million more are injured. That's according to conservative estimates by provincial and territorial Workplace Compensation Boards.
It is a tragedy that these deaths and injuries happen at all. Occupational health and safety legislation has been in place since the early 70s, but it has failed to check Canada's dismal record of injuring and killing workers.
As many workers have died at work since the first occupational health and safety legislation was passed in Canada in 1972 as the number of Canadians who fought and died during World War II. Is it any wonder workers are asking why the current health and safety system is failing them?