Knowsley workers to observe one minute’s silence on
Workers’ Memorial Day
28 April 2010
Over 4,000 local authority workers from Knowsley Metropolitan
Borough Council and Knowsley Housing Trust will hold a minute’s
silence at noon on Wednesday, 28 April to mark International
Workers' Memorial Day (IWMD). Council flags will also be lowered to
half mast on municipal buildings.
This year marks the first year where UK government will
officially recognise IWMD and it is a step in the right direction
to have the government acknowledge the true extent of workplace
accidents and deaths and then enact and enforce laws that will
ensure positive legal duties on directors to be made responsible
for their workers' health and safety.
Colin Carr, Regional Industrial Organiser for Unite the union said:
“Too many people are killed or injured at work each year at
incidents that are preventable by better planning and simply
raising awareness of the dangers and risks around the workplace.
Knowsley Council have paved the way to highlight to their employees
the dangers of the workplace and to focus on better health and
safety, whilst reflecting on those who have been killed or injured
at work across the UK.”
Last year in the UK (June 08/June 09), 180 people were killed in
notifiable accidents at work while more than 27,000 suffered major
injuries. An estimated 800 died in work-related road traffic
accidents and about 8,000 died from occupational cancers and lung
diseases.
Mr Carr continued: “We urge workers to take a moment to think
about those who have lost their lives through their work and to
think what you can do to protect yourself and your work colleagues
from harm. We can remember the dead today, but we must continue to
fight for the living.”
- Ends -
For further information contact: Colin Carr on 0151 728 2200 or
07799114246
ccarr@tgwu.org.uk
The commemoration is taking place at 12 noon on the South Piazza
of George Dock Building (corner of Mann Island and The Strand),
Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DD
Speakers will include representatives from trade unions,
employers, local solicitors and the Asbestos Awareness
Campaign.
Details of other NW events organised by Unite members can be
found on
Unite's events pages.
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