By Tonya Ford, OSHA National Family Liaison

There are some moments in life that bring us together and compel us to pause, grieve, and reflect. Workers Memorial Day is one of those solemn occasions. It is a day not only to honor and remember the lives lost because of workplace incidents but also to stand with those left behind – the families, friends, coworkers, and communities who continue to carry the weight of that loss every single day.

In 2023, more than 5,200 workers in the U.S. were fatally injured on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's one worker every 99 minutes and about 15 lives lost each day. These are not just numbers. Behind each one is a name, a face, and a story. They were people who woke up and went to work with the same hopes and responsibilities we all carry, building a life, paying the bills, and putting food on the table.

These statistics and stories are a sobering reminder that our work is far from finished. Workers deserve to return home at the end of the day, and families and communities deserve to remain whole.

As we honor our fallen workers, it is important to remember the thousands of people who unexpectedly find themselves on the challenging journey of losing a loved one. While each story is unique, many share the same pain, unanswered questions, and the struggle to move forward. In a shared experience, Workers Memorial Day helps ease that burden by bringing community, solidarity, and hope.

On this day and throughout the year, I encourage you to support those who are grieving and uplift those who are healing. Let us work together and be persistent in pursuing safer and healthier workplaces so no other loved one experiences a similar loss.

Workers helping with flood cleanup and recovery should know how to stay safe from hazards such as shifting debris, contaminated water, and downed power lines. Only trained and experienced workers with proper equipment should handle tasks like restoring power, cleaning up hazardous spills, or doing search and rescue.

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry but are preventable. During the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, May 5-9, employers are encouraged to talk with workers about training, recognizing hazards and how to care for and safely use ladders, scaffolds, and fall protection systems.

Managers who follow the same practices that they expect of workers lead by example and show that safety is a priority in the workplace. When managers regularly walk different work areas to observe what is happening, talk directly with workers about their job conditions, and listen to their suggestions for making safety and health improvements, they show workers that preventing injuries and illnesses is a valued part of everyone's job.

Last year, we renewed our Alliance with United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities to more effectively communicate with loved ones of workplace fatality victims and raise awareness of workplace safety and health issues. We are working together to help those affected to understand the OSHA inspection process and assist them in being the voice to prevent future workplace tragedies.

❓ How often does OSHA require emergency eye wash and shower stations to be inspected?

🗣 We don't require a set inspection schedule, but we recommend following guidance from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z358.1). They suggest testing plumbed stations every week and doing a comprehensive inspection for all eyewash and shower units once a year.

If you are looking for answers about workplace safety and health, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or submit your own question.

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