By the Numbers: Workplace fatalities and time-loss injuries in Canada

Toronto – April 24, 2013 – Every year on April 28, workers across Canada commemorate the National Day of Mourning – a day to “mourn for the dead and fight for the living”.

The National Day of Mourning was established in 1984 through the efforts of the Canadian labour movement, and in 1991 legislation was passed to mark April 28, as the “National Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace.”

Over the past decade, almost 12,000 workers have died as the result of a workplace injury.

On average, that is 3 workers who are fatally injured everyday – too often because of unsafe workplace conditions.

In 2011, provinces with highest fatalities in the workplace were: 

• Ontario (306)

• Quebec (204)

• British Columbia (145), and

• Alberta (123)

• Prince Edward Island (PEI) was the only province with no fatalities in 2011

Manufacturing, construction and transportation and storage remain the most dangerous job sectors in Canada with most fatalities and injuries.

Just counting fatalities, agriculture has the highest percentage of workers killed on the job.

Quebec had the highest number of time-loss injuries (70,259), followed by Ontario (56,672) and British Columbia (50,180) in 2011.

This April 28, take a moment to commemorate those injured, killed, or afflicted with an occupational disease while on the job.

Source: Association of Workers' Compensation Board of Canada - National Work Injury Statistics Program (NWISP)