Apr. 28 was National Day of Mourning to remember those who were killed or seriously injured on the job.
That was also the day of the In-plant Response Competition in Lanigan.
I was amazed at how many children were there to cheer on daddy.
Looking at the reason the many PCS Lanigan workers were competing, they are there to respond to emergencies. These same emergencies happen in Saskatchewan everyday.
There were 24 deaths reported in 2014 according to the Saskatchewan Worker鈥檚 Compensation Board and 142 deaths on the job from 2010-2014.
In 2014 alone, 28,650 injuries were reported to Saskatchewan Worker鈥檚 Compensation Board.
Doing the math, that is 78.5 injuries everyday and 3.2 injuries every hour.
Out of these 28,000 injuries, 5,438 involved young workers, people under the age of 24.
How many of these injuries were preventable?
How many of those people who died on the job could have gone home that night?
How many times are people rushing at work?
How many times did people have their minds not on their job which lead to their injury?
I know sometimes it is not that simple a reason to someone鈥檚 injury or death.
However, what role does prevention have in the number of injuries taking place every year?
To workers, know your rights in the workplace.
According to the Work Safe Saskatchewan handbook, you have three basic rights in the workplace:
鈥淭he right to know what hazards there are in the workplace and how to prevent harm.
The right to participate in health and safety activities in the workplace without fear of getting into trouble.
The right to refuse unusually dangerous work or tasks believed to be unusually dangerous.鈥�
That is your employers job to ensure you make it home to your family.
Prevention is also taking your safety training seriously.
I鈥檝e gone through WHMIS training at least 4 times in my life. The programing is boring, especially past the second time taking it, but the information can save your life.
I鈥檝e seen the safety videos for staying safe at work and preventing falls, equipment accidents, and chemical contact.
According to Work Safe Saskatchewan, exposure to harmful substances is one of the top three causes of injury for young workers. The other two is contact with objects or equipment, and bodily reaction and exertion.
All Saskatchewan employers should be providing this training to avoid these types of injuries.
But when it comes right down to it, it is up to every individual worker to be safe at work or question unsafe work practices.
There are people who are waiting for you at the end of every work day.
Get home safe.
