NAOSH Week, Workers Memorial Day, National Day of Mourning

NAOSH WEEK, MAY 1-7, 2016

NAOSH Week is an annual occupational health and safety celebration. The intent is to focus on spreading the message about the importance of safety and health in the community. NAOSH Week began in Canada in the mid-1980s and has spread across North America to promote safety.

IATSE workers and locals can plan a simple observation of NAOSH Week by focusing on safety. Workers can plan a class or event that helps take one more step toward a safer work environment – organize a training seminar, hold an ergonomics awareness event, download, and distribute the free ANSI standards to your workers or evaluate the safety of your job sites – the possibilities are unlimited.

Are you planning an event for NAOSH Week? Tell us about your event and submit information about it here so we can post about it on our website.

AFL-CIO WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY, APRIL 28, 2016

On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers' Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job and to renew the fight for safe jobs. This year, workers will come together to call for work in this country that is safe, healthy, and pays fair wages.

On Workers’ Memorial Day, April 28, IATSE workers are encouraged to pause and offer a moment of silence at 1:00pm EDT/10am PDT on behalf of those in the entertainment industry and all workers who have paid the ultimate price in order to support themselves and their families.

Materials and posters to aid in the observance of Workers' Memorial Day may be downloaded here or ordered online here. 

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING, APRIL 28, 2016

On the National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, the Canadian flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-mast. Workers will light candles, don ribbons and black armbands, and observe moments of silence. Businesses are asked to participate by declaring April 28 a Day of Mourning and to strive to prevent workplace deaths, illnesses, and injuries.

Canadian IATSE workers are encouraged to observe the same moment of silence as U.S. IATSE workers at 1:00pm EDT/10am PDT in memory of all workers who have been killed on the job. In this way, both countries will be united in remembrance.