England | 28 April

All photos John Riley

A SERVICE was held in Vera Page Park, St Helens to honour those who have died at work.

The event took place on Saturday, April 27, to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day, which falls on Sunday, April 28. It was organised by St Helens Trades Union Council.

Representatives from the council, unions, community clubs, and the borough’s two MPs attended the event, with music provided by Haydock Brass Band.

John Riley, secretary and one of the founding trustees of the Workers’ Memorial Foundation, whose father passed away from work-related injuries 40 years ago, spoke about the importance of the day. Read more on the St Helens Star website.

UK national trade union federation TUC has published a regularly updated listing of Workers’ Memorial Day events across Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Over 20,000 people die in the UK every year because of their work. Most of these because of exposure to dangerous substances. This year the theme for the day is “removing exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace“ Hazardous substances are found in almost every workplace in the UK and many workers have no protection against the possible effects, despite the fact that tens of thousands of workers have their health destroyed by asthma, dermatitis, lung disorders and cancers because of exposures. They range from cleaning fluids in almost every workplace, silica dust in construction, tobacco smoke in prisons right through to blood and faeces in health and social care.

In addition to hazardous substances many unions and trades councils will be campaigning on the general theme of demanding better regulation, greater inspections and an end to the anti-health and safety rhetoric from the government and their allies in the press.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/WMD2015