Fifty-three years ago, on April 28, 1970, the U.S. observed the first Workers Memorial Day. At the time, an estimated 38 people died on the job in the U.S. each day. Despite significant improvements in workplace safety, nearly 14 workers still die each day in the U.S.

The annual Workers Memorial Day observance pays tribute to these people and all the fallen workers before them, as well as the survivors they leave behind.

“On Workers Memorial Day, as we remember the people whose jobs claimed their lives, we must recognize that behind these numbers, there are people who mourn each loss. For them, these statistics are loved ones: they’re parents, children, siblings, relatives, friends, or co-workers,” says Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “On this day of remembrance, we should reflect on what might have prevented their loss and recommit ourselves to doing all we can — and all that can be done — to safeguard workers and to fulfill our moral obligation and duty as a nation to protect America’s workers.”

On April 27 at noon CT, Parker will join Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Christopher Williamson to host an online Workers Memorial Day ceremony. They will be joined by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities Vice President Wanda Engracia, whose husband, Pablo Morillo, was one of three workers killed in a 2005 industrial explosion in New Jersey.

Throughout the country, agency representatives will take part in local Workers Memorial Day events.

Find a local Workers Memorial Day event.