April 27, 2015

Oklahoma community honors Workers' Memorial Day
at candlelight vigil April 28
Oklahomans remember those who were injured or killed on the job

WHO: David Bates, director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Oklahoma City Area Office
State Sen. Susan Paddack
State Rep. George Young

WHAT: Workers' Memorial Day Candlelight Vigil

WHEN: April 28, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. CDT

WHERE: The Oklahoma State Capitol
Fourth Floor Rotunda
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

Background: In 2014, 25 people lost their lives at work in Oklahoma. Every year, American workers report about 3 million serious occupational injuries and illnesses and more than 50,000 die from illnesses attributable to long-term exposure to hazardous materials in the workplace. A recent OSHA report, Adding Inequality to Injury: The Costs of Failing to Protect Workers on the Job, illustrates the impact these injuries have on the economy.

"Every day in America, 12 people go to work and never come home, and every year 3 millions of Americans suffer a serious workplace injury. Tragically, these deaths and injuries are preventable with basic safety and health techniques and practices," said David Bates, director of OSHA's Oklahoma City Area Office. "No job is a good job unless it's a safe job. Workers should not have to risk their lives or their health while working to provide for their families."

For information and additional resources about Workers' Memorial Day, please visit OSHA's website at: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker_memorial_2015.html. For more information on this event please visit www.okworkersmemorialday.com.

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Media Contacts:

Diana Petterson, 972-850-4710, petterson.diana@dol.gov
Juan Rodriguez, 972-850-4709, rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

Release Number: 15-725-DAL

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department's Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).