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Workers Memorial Day – 28 April

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Worldwide events will be taking place to commemorate those who have lost their lives through workplace accidents or die through occupational diseases.

International Events

HAZARDS Magazine

For listings of events by country plus links, background information, images, archives and much more.

• www.hazards.org/wmd
• www.hazards.org/wmd/countrylistings.htm

International Labour Office

The 2012 World Day for Safety and Health at Work focuses on the promotion of occupational safety and health (OSH) in a green economy. There is a shift in the world to a greener and more sustainable economy. However, even if certain jobs are considered to be “green”, the technologies used may protect the environment but not be safe at all.

As the green economy develops, it is essential that safety and health at work are integrated into green jobs policies. This implies integrating risk assessment and management measures in the life cycle analysis of all green jobs. A true green job must integrate safety and health into design, procurement, operations, maintenance, sourcing and recycling policies, certification systems and OSH quality standards. This is especially relevant for sectors such as construction, waste recycling, solar energy production and biomass processing.

The ILO celebrates the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on the 28 April to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. It is an awareness-raising campaign intended to focus international attention on emerging trends in the field of occupational safety and health and on the magnitude of work-related injuries, diseases and fatalities worldwide.

The 28th of April is also a day in which the world’s trade union movement holds its International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers to honour the memory of victims of occupational accidents and diseases and organize worldwide mobilizations and campaigns on this date.

The celebration of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an integral part of the Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health of the ILO and promotes the creation of a global preventative safety and health culture involving all stakeholders. In many parts of the world, national authorities, trade unions, employers’ organizations and safety and health practitioners organize activities to celebrate this date. We invite you to join us in celebrating this significant day and share with us the activities you organize.

Find out more on this year’s campaign web page: www.ilo.org/safework/events/meetings/WCMS_173690/lang--en/index.htm

UK

This year the TUC is calling on health and safety representatives, trades councils and safety campaigners to make 28th April a day of action to defend health and safety.

This is a list of some of those events that are happening up and down the country. Most will also feature a minute’s silence at noon, or a suitable time. All are on 28th April unless indicated otherwise.

More information: www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/index.cfm?mins=180&minors=124&majorsubjectID=2

National Events

TBC

London, South and Eastern

Commercial Road, London

Rally to commemorate the Watney Market sewer disaster in 1990 when 3 workers were killed by fumes. Assemble at the Clock Tower, Watney Street market, Commercial Road, London E1 at 12.30.

Tower Hill, London

There will be a rally at the Building Worker statue on Tower Hill. Assemble at 10.30. With speeches and a minutes silence. Organised by the Construction Safety Campaign 07747795954

Oxfordshire

The CWU will be holding a special Defend Health and Safety Campaign Day of Action & Workers Memorial Day Event at the CWU Workers Memorial Garden at the CWU Education and Training Centre Alvescot Lodge, Alvescot, Bampton, Oxon. OX18 2PY. Details from: learn@cwu.org

Midlands

Birmingham

WMD commemoration event at the Workers Commemoration Stone in the grounds of St Phillips Cathedral, City Centre, Birmingham. Further details of the event to follow.

Solihull

Commemoration to be held on Friday 27th April at 12.30 pm in Brueton Gardens, by Barley Mow.

Dudley

Trades Council commemorative event at 12.00 at Coronation Gardens, Priory Road, DY1 1HF

Coventry

An event will be held at 12.00 at the Peace Garden, Bayley Lane CV1 5RJ

Walsall

Meet outside St. Matthew’s church, market WS1 3DG at 12.00

Wolverhampton

21st Workers’ Memorial Day annual commemoration to be held at 12.30 pm at the Cenotaph in front of the Civic Centre and St Peters’ church. WV1 1TS

North West

Blackburn

Assemble 13.00 at the Town Hall step for speeches. At 13.45 march to the Worker’s Memorial Tree at Northgate led by lone piper. At 14.00 – Two minutes silence and laying of wreaths. For more information contact ig@eyegal.demon.co.uk

Chorley

To attend the rally in Chorley, meet at the Park Gates, Astley Park, at 5.45 pm on 27 April 2012

Liverpool

There will be a rally at 12 noon on the South Piazza of Georges Dock Building (Corner of Mann Island and the Strand) Pier Head, Liverpool L3 1DD. Speakers include Len McCluskey – General Secretary Unite and Simon Weller – National Organiser ASLEF. For more information contact John Sheridan on 07814 197734

Liverpool

Assemble at the UCATT Memorial, Hunter Street at 11.45 a.m. Speakers: Luciana Berger, MP; Councillor Frank Prendergast, Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Bill Parry, UCATT Regional Council Chairman. Contact UCATT, Tel: 0151 228 8455

Manchester

March and rally. Gather near CIS Building, Corporation Street/Miller Street at noon. The March will move off at 12.30 led by a band and march up Corporation Street, and Cross Street into Albert Square for a rally. At 13.00 there will be a minutes silence to ‘Remember the Dead’
Speakers will include trade union safety reps, members of FACK and MPs who will speak on ‘Fighting like hell for the Living’ against the current government attacks on workers’ health and safety. For more information contact the Greater Manchester Hazards Centre For more details contact mail@gmhazards.org.uk

Preston

Gather at 11.30 am in Flag Market, minutes silence at 12 noon, service and speakers, more information from psrtradecouncil@googlemail.com

Northern

Hartlepool

Remembrance Service & Wreath Laying Ceremony, 12.30 pm, Christchurch (TIC & Art Gallery), Church Square, Hartlepool. Guest speakers include Ronnie Draper, General Secretary, BFAWU and Paul Mackney – Former General Secretary, NATFHE/UCU. A Health & Safety Seminar is also being organised to be held that day at Hartlepool College of Further Education (9.00 am to 12 noon) with speakers / presentations.

Organised by Hartlepool Trades Union Council. For further information please contact edwin.jeffries@hartlepool.gov.uk

Gateshead

Service at Remembrance Garden, Saltwell Park, Gateshead. Assemble 1 pm. Speakers include Ian Mearns MP for Gateshead and Dave Anderson MP for Blaydon. The Mayor of Gateshead will also be attending. Contact: Dave Morton, davem66@fsmail.net

Northern Ireland

Belfast

Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Health and Safety has organised a tree dedication ceremony in the grounds of Stormont Estate at 2.45 pm. After this there will be a reception with some light refreshments at 3.30 in the Long Gallery,

Scotland

TBC

South West

Torquay

From approx 10.00 am the PCS DWP Devon Branch will be raising the profile of WMD around Castle Circus by giving out leaflets and selling ribbons to raise funds for Hazards and respecting the one minute silence at 12.00.

Wales

Cardiff

UNISON Wales/Cymru Region plan to open and display a book of condolence at the UNISON office in Cardiff.

Yorkshire & Humberside

Bradford

12 noon, Workers’ Memorial Plaque, around the back of Bradford City Hall

A minute’s silence followed by speakers, laying of wreaths and a street performance.

For further information please contact: Bradford Area Safety Reps Association, c/o Bradford Resource Centre, 17–21 Chapel Street, Bradford BD1 5DT. Tel: 01274 393949 & 01274 779002

Cleethorpes

3.00 pm. Location the Workers Memorial in the Pier Gardens Alexandra Road Cleethorpes. Service Conducted By Rev Paul Hunter.

Grimsby

1.00 pm. Location the Workers Memorial in the Grounds of the War Memorial Nunn’s Corner Grimsby.

Immingham

10.00 am. Location the Workers Memorial in the Grounds of the War Memorial Pelham Road Immingham. Service Conducted By Rev Daniel Haylett.

Leeds

Friday, 27 April 2012, 2.00 pm, Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Canal Road, Leeds LS12 2QF

Wreath Laying at the Memorial Tree. Speakers to include: Bill Adams, regional secretary of the Yorkshire & the Humber TUC; Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West and Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Marion Voss, Thompsons Solicitors. Please come along, bring union banners and offer your support to this important event. Light refreshments available.

For further information please contact: Chris Beastall, Tel: 0113 242 9696, cbeastall@tuc.org.uk

Sheffield

12.30 pm, Sheffield Town Hall

Sheffield TUC is organising an international Workers’ Memorial Day Ceremony at the Workers’ Memorial Tree, situated in front of Sheffield Town Hall.

Councillor Dr Elizabeth Sylvia Dunkley, Lord Mayor of Sheffield, will open the ceremony and a number of local trade unionists and citizens have been invited to speak.

TU branch, Shop Stewards’ Committee and Joint Shop Stewards’ Committees are requested to encourage fellow trades unionists, colleagues and friends to attend this important International Memorial Day ceremony and to ensure that wreaths and flowers are brought along and placed around the base of the Workers’ Memorial Tree.