A large crowd gathered at the Workers Memorial Statue this afternoon (April 28) to observe the annual Day of Mourning.
Last year 131 people died work-related deaths in B.C., and that includes four people in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
The National Day of Mourning honours all workers who have been injured, disabled or killed while working with a moment of silence.
“Going to work and coming home injured, disabled, or not coming home at all shouldn’t be a part of anyone’s job,” said Natalie Fletcher, president of the North Central Labour Council and MC of the ceremony.
“This day has personal meaning for me and my family,” said Fletcher. “As my husband’s father went to work and never came home and he left my husband, Trevor, aged 17 and his sister, Danielle, age 14 and their mother behind — their life changed forever that day.”
Mayor Lyn Hall also spoke to the large crowd about personal losses he has suffered due to workplace injuries.
“When I was a very young man I worked at as a refinery over the summer while going to school and at the start of every summer we were given a safety training course but it wasn’t until my coworker was injured that I realized the importance of the training,” said Hall.
“During that same period of time, I lost a friend to a workplace accident. He left a wife and very young children who would never know their dad.”
Hall concluded urging the crowd to keep the importance of this day in their minds all year long.
Mayor Lyn Hall speaking during the National Day of Mourning Ceremony this afternoon #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/QD2TiIW70D
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) April 28, 2019
Secretary-Treasure of the B.C. Federation of Labour, Sussanne Skidmore spoke, reflecting on the mill explosions in Burns Lake and Prince George in 2012.
“On this sombre day I want to take a moment to remember the catastrophic mill explosions that took place just six years ago in Burns Lake and in Prince George,” said Skidmore.
Two workers, Robert Luggi and Carl Charlie, died in Burns Lake, and as well as two more in Prince George, Glenn Roche and Allan Little.
“Dozens of workers were seriously injured these tragedies have changed the lives of those workers, their coworkers, their families, and our communities forever,” said Skidmore. “Every worker deserves to come home every day.”
Michael Lovett, who was a young worker injured on the job in 1999, spoke about his personal experience.
“I was 18 years old, young healthy and my life was good. Work for me was going to be exciting and new I was eager to please and willing to take on any task that was asked of me,” said Lovett.
He explained that while working nightshift at a mill he was tasked to clean a bark conveyor, while the conveyor was still running.
Michael Lovett speaking about his workplace accident during the National Day of Mourning #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/ZLE3UQ8PqV
— Hanna Petersen (@hannaepeter) April 28, 2019
Lovett says he slipped and got his foot caught in the conveyor, which crushed his foot and pulled his body towards the conveyor.
“I was terrified, it was my worst nightmare,” said Lovett. “I was pinned in there nobody could hear me and reality was sinking in. Someone needs to find me soon or I’m going to bleed to death. Thankfully it was break time and a millwright found me.”
Following the accident, Lovett spent a month in the hospital, had his leg amputated and underwent multiple surgeries to battle an infection.
“From now on when I start my day I slide my leg into a prosthetic and have a constant reminder why safety in the workplace is so important and, as weird as it is to say this, I’m one of the lucky ones,” said Lovett. “I was given a second chance. However, there are far too many people who aren't and today we take this time to mourn them”
With his speech, Barry Nakahara, manager of prevention field service with WorkSafeBC concluded the ceremony.
“Within our regional district in Fraser-Fort George there were four workers who passed last year and each of these tragedies is a loss,” said Nakahara. “The day of mourning is here to remind us that one workplace death is too many and gives added meaning to the urgency for safer and healthier workplaces.”
