For most working men and women in the Langleys and across B.C., their workday rolls along in the basically same fashion: shake the cobwebs out from the previous night’s sleep, eat breakfast (or not), slide into their vehicles, commute to their jobs, spend eight or more hours there, slide back into their vehicles, commute home, and get some well-deserved rest and relaxation as they prepare to do it all over again the next day.
Rinse and repeat, five days or more each week, 12 months a year, give or take two to six weeks of holiday time.
It’s a routine most take for granted.
But some people don’t make it home, and some unlucky few don’t get to see the next day.
For them, and to recognize workplace safety, April 28 has been designated as a Day of Mourning across Canada.
Every year, workers, families, employers, and others come together at ceremonies held around the nation to remember those who have lost their lives on the job, and re-new a commitment to creating safer workplaces.
In Langley Township, Tuesday morning ceremonies were held at its Operations Centre and at its Civic Facility. As well, all Canadian, B.C., and municipal flags at Township facilities and parks flew at half-mast during the day.
In Langley City, a flag-raising ceremony took place in front of City Hall.
The day is about awareness.
Across Canada, 203 people were killed at work last year, including four young workers in B.C., 24 years old and younger.
And according to WorkSafeBC statistics, workplace injury and illness resulted in 2,630,638 lost work days in 2014.
Those numbers show that, even in a developed country like Canada, while workplace safety has improved steadily over decades past, there is still much that needs to be done, and part of that is dependent on the actions and decisions of the workers themselves.
April 28 is a reminder to be careful out there, and get home safe.
– T.L.
