Today, we observe Workers Memorial Day, which commemorates the day the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) took effect in 1971. This day serves as a reminder of the progress we have made in ensuring worker safety and health, but it also highlights the work that still needs to be done.
Since the passage of the OSH Act over 50 years ago, more than 668,000 workers’ lives have been saved, which is a remarkable achievement. However, the statistics from the past year are deeply concerning, with 343 workers dying each day on average from hazardous working conditions.
What is even more alarming is that the fatality rates for Black and Latino workers are on the rise, highlighting the systemic inequalities that continue to exist in our society. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the limitations of the OSH Act and the need for stronger measures to protect workers.
While these official statistics are bleak, they are likely an undercount as many workplace injuries and deaths go unreported due to a lack of resources and procedures. It is our responsibility to ensure that workers have the protection they need and deserve.
As we observe Workers Memorial Day, let us recommit ourselves to the fight for safe and healthy workplaces for all workers. Let us honor the memory of those we have lost by advocating for stronger protections and demanding accountability from employers and policymakers.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to this critical work.
In solidarity,
Jerry Hembree
