Occupational disease remained the number one killer of workers
A total of 175 workers in British Columbia lost their lives in their line of work in 2023, according to WorkSafeBC.
And occupational disease remained the number one killer of workers last year. Specifically, occupational diseases killed 93 workers in 2023. Among them, 48 resulted from asbestos exposure often decades ago.
Meanwhile, 60 workers died from traumatic injuries last year, including falls from elevation, being struck by objects, and being caught in equipment and/or machinery.
Another 22 workers died in motor vehicle incidents.
WorkSafeBC made the data public on Sunday, in time for the National Day of Mourning.
“As we remember those we have lost, we also recommit to making sure everyone, in every job, gets home safely at the end of the day,” said Premier David Eby. “The National Day of Mourning is a powerful call to eliminate workplace tragedies – because every death is an outrage, and every loss is profound. To the friends, family and colleagues who have lost someone: we stand with you in your grief, and we will keep working with you to protect every worker in our province.”
The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) also called on employers and governments to prioritize worker safety in time for the National Day of Mourning today – which also happens to be the 20th anniversary of the Westray Law.
Canadian unions demanded employers and governments to make work and workplaces truly safe spaces for all workers with the call to action “Safe work now”.
“Too many workers are still dying, getting injured or getting sick from work and year in and year out, these numbers are not going down. That is unacceptable because every death and injury is preventable,” said Bea Bruske, president of the CLC. “Employers and our governments are not doing enough to keep workers safe on the job. Workers and their loved ones can’t afford to wait for action.”
The CLC noted that it’s been 20 years since the Westray Law was brought into effect and “it’s past time for Canada to do better to keep everyone safe.”
