Department of Labor commemorates annual Missouri Workers’ Memorial Ceremony

Jefferson City – The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, along with members of the 98th General Assembly, honored the 104 Missourians who died in the workplace during 2015 at the annual Missouri Workers’ Memorial Ceremony April 19.

“Today we remember those who lost their lives in the workplace. Let us not forget their contributions to their communities and our state,” said Ryan McKenna, director of the Missouri Labor Department. “We honor their memory by continuing to work with businesses to ensure workplace safety, so all workers may return home safely to their families at the end of the day.”

Mike Louis, president of the Missouri AFL-CIO, said: “No matter the occupation we face risk and in many cases, too many times, pay the ultimate price.”

REMEMBERING THE FALLEN

State Sen. Gina Walsh, president of the Missouri State Building Trades Council and a retired member of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 1, encouraged everyone to remember those who died on the job as we strive to create safer workplaces for all.

“We remember and honor all the working men and women who lost their lives on the job,” Walsh said. “We remember their families, their friends and the co-workers they have left behind as we recommit ourselves to this mission.”

More than 50 family members gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to remember their loved ones. McKenna presented the Missouri Workers’ Virtual Memorial, a slideshow featuring photographs of the fallen workers with personal messages from their families. The Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes and Drums accompanied the presentation with their bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace. The Missouri Department of Corrections’ Color Guard presented the national and state flags.

FREE SAFETY TRAINING

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations offers free safety training to Missouri employers and encourages all businesses to incorporate the Workers’ Memorial theme, “Safe Jobs Save Lives”, in their workplace.

To learn more about the Department’s free safety programs, visit labor.mo.gov/onsite or call 573-522-SAFE.