Last year there were 122 work-related deaths in B.C.

While work-related deaths have been declining over the years and the province’s injury rate is at an all-time low, there is still a lot of work to do when it comes to improving workplace safety.

Mark Stokes, with WorkSafe BC, says 122 deaths is way too many.

“Just one is way too many,” he said.

Workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility, said Stokes, and that’s the message he hopes everyone takes away from the Day of Mourning event held at Ben Lee Park in Kelowna.

“It’s up to you to look out at the work site and see where the opportunities are to make it safer and healthier,” he said. “Workers need to know that it is not only appropriate but it is their right to speak up when things aren’t right in the workplace.”

Speaking up and talking about safety is how Stokes believes workplace injury or disease can be reduced.

Of the 122 deaths, 72 were caused by occupational disease primarily resulting from exposure to asbestos decades ago and 50 resulted from traumatic injuries.

Mark Johnson was one of those who experienced a traumatic injury while on the job. Just over 10 years ago, Johnson was working in a mill in New Westminster when his left arm was pulled into a conveyor belt he was cleaning.

“It snapped my forearm in half, wrapped around the roller and pulled my back against the conveyor belt,” he explained. Johnson was stuck in the conveyor belt for more than 20 minutes, the machine too loud for his co-workers to hear his screams.

Now Johnson dedicates his life to talking about workplace safety.

“Safety is the most important thing there is. It is more important than anything, because when you are not safe you don’t just risk your life you risk other people’s happiness. When you get hurt you’re not the only one who pays, it’s your family, your friends.”

In Penticton, city staff and council members were joined by firefighters, RCMP members and other workers at the ceremony at McLaren Park Arena.

Sue Hopley spoke about her father who was run over by an underground train in a mine when she was six years old.

"This day is important to remember the families and the loved ones that have been impacted by workplace injury or loss and for making workplaces safer for everyone," she said.

Mayor of Penticton Andrew Jakubeit said he was grateful for the large crowd in attendance and paid tribute to the arborist who recently died in Vancouver.

The Canadian Labour Congress created and held the first National Day of Mourning ceremony on April 28,1984. Canada was the first country to formally commemorate workers killed in the workplace. Today, Day of Mourning ceremonies take place around the world and the day is recognized by the federal and provincial governments, as well as by municipalities across B.C.

Photo: Contributed