We mark many a day or week in official recognition of some cause, but one that needs a lot more attention on a practical level is worker safety.
In Nova Scotia, for instance, 32 people died and over 28,000 were injured in the workplace last year alone. One incident occurred at the Power Centre near Truro when a building that was being moved fell and killed a worker.
On Wednesday, the National Day of Mourning, which was established in 1984 by the Canadian Labour Congress, was marked across the province and the message was similar to other years. In Trenton, for example, guest speaker Janet Hazelton, president of the Nova Scotia Nurses Union, said regulations and safeguards are already officially entered in the books. What's missing is a government that will step up and enforce them.
Hazelton said the labour force needs to see a more proactive approach in protecting workers. This hits the mark: how often do Nova Scotians see reviews or inquiries after someone has been killed or seriously injured while on the job?
We'd like to say we've learned, but it continues, and we are again reminded of shortcomings following a tragedy that should never have happened.
Messages are delivered at such events as the Day of Mourning. but they need to be heeded. Jessie MacNeil Parkinson, from the Office of the Worker Counsellor, called on governments to hold workplaces accountable for injuries or deaths that are deemed preventable.
If there is a mentality out there, anywhere, that safety is fine as long as it doesn't slow down production, it's got to be nipped through severe penalties and more frequent inspections.
The province legislated a higher minimum wage, which came into effect in the past year. That's great. Now how about enforcing higher minimum standards for everyday safety and training?
