Local organizations are coming together to honour workers who have been killed, injured, or suffered illness as a result of work-related incidents. On Tuesday, April 28 at 10:00 am, the City of Courtenay, Work Safe BC and CUPE 556 will hold a flag-raising ceremony.

LOCATION CHANGED: Please note the location for this event has been changed to the Courtenay Fire Hall, 650 Cumberland Road.

Paige Knapman, occupational health and safety advisor for the City of Courtenay, said the event is an opportunity to raise awareness of the need for workplace safety. “The Day of Mourning is a reminder to all of us that proper safety procedures are necessary to save lives,” noted Knapman. “Safety standards have come a long way over the years, but we need to maintain our focus and make sure that workers are given the tools and support they need to keep themselves safe and healthy.

“Workers also need to know that it’s important for them to speak up if something isn’t safe.”

The Day of Mourning has been a national event since 1991.

Statistics from WorksafeBC show that employers and workers need to remain vigilant. In 2014, 173 BC workers died as a result of workplace injury or disease.

Everyone is welcome to attend the Day of Mourning ceremony. For more information, please contact Knapman at 250-334-4441.

For more information on the Day of Mourning, including a list of other ceremonies around B.C., visit www.worksafebc.com/news_room/campaigns/day_of_mourning/default.asp