Workers Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor workers who have died on the job.

Joel Perales was a 30-year veteran of the East Los Angeles U.S. Postal Service. He was also a beloved community pastor, husband, father of five, and diehard Dodgers fan.

On December 3, 2018 Perales decided to pick up an extra shift on his day off — the holidays were coming and he wanted to have a little extra money to purchase gifts for his grandchildren. Tragically, he was killed that morning when a car struck his mail truck in the city of Commerce. Perales had a large and loving family; he is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, and several siblings.

Despite decades of progress, the human toll of workplace tragedies continues to be unacceptably high. 376 California workers were killed at work in the last annual count, about one per day. Thousands more were injured or made ill from preventable workplace hazards. When employers fail to protect workers, the public health suffers.

Dying at Work in California 2019 is Worksafe’s eighth annual report on the state of safety and health protections for California workers. In it, we remember the lives that have been lost, and we highlight opportunities for improving worker health and safety in California. Be sure to check out the contributions of the UC Berkeley Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP), the Healthy Work Campaign, and National COSH.

Attention Bay Area: Please join us today at noon in Downtown Oakland for our Workers Memorial Day event. We are cohosting with LOHP and are hoping for a big turnout. Let’s gather – please come out if you can.

We hope that you will read and share Dying at Work in California 2019.

In Solidarity,
Doug Parker, Executive Director, Worksafe