“Today, as we recognize Workers Memorial Day, we remember the thousands of hardworking men and women who lose their lives on the job each year and the millions more who suffer injury or illness during their dedicated workplace service.  

“The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health calculates that each day 16 faithful workers in this nation set off to their place of employment to earn a living, never returning home to their families again.

“We grieve for those lost and with those who love them and we draw on Workers Memorial Day as an urgent reminder to renew our awareness of occupational hazards and remain diligent in our commitment to workplace safety.”  

Background:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
 

• In 2008, a total of 5,071 U.S. workers died from occupational injuries, and 49,000 deaths annually are attributed to work-related illnesses.
• In 2008, more than 4 million workers experienced a nonfatal occupational injury or illness.

For more information on workplace safety visit The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) website at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/  or the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) website at: http://www.osha.gov/.