On 28 April each year – International Workers’ Memorial Day – we remember the dead and fight for the living. This year’s theme is ‘unionised workplaces are safer workplaces’. See the list of events around Scotland on the Scottish Hazards website – along with posters for each event or see the PDF list of events.
We all know someone whose life has been lost or touched by work related ill-health, incidents and accidents.
Around the world one worker dies every 15 seconds. Up to 50,000 people die each year in the UK.
Although few UNISON members die in workplace incidents many suffer injuries and work related ill health, from stress or back pain to RSI, bullying, harassment, and workplace violence. These affect them and their families.
Health and safety in our workplaces protects those at work. It also protects those in the wider community. Whether it is a hospital, school or care home our elderly and vulnerable relatives, our children and our communities are also protected by measures intended to keep everyone safe from harm.
UNISON knows that the key to providing a good and safe service is well-trained employees who have the time and protective equipment to do their job properly.
We remember all those killed through work and at the same time ensuring that such tragedies are not repeated. We will do that by building trade union organisation, and campaigning for stricter enforcement with higher penalties for breaches of health and safety laws.
Remember the dead and fight for the living.