Third Annual Wyoming Workers’ Memorial Day a Success

On Monday April 28th L.A.W. and SAFER Director Mark Aronowitz and SAFER intern Sarah Kellogg participated in Wyoming's third annual Workers' Memorial Day at the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne. Workers' Memorial Day commemorates those workers who have died on the job and acknowledges the immense suffering experienced by their families. The day also provides an opportunity to further our commitment to the fight for safe and healthy workplaces for all. Workers' Memorial Day is held annually throughout the country on April 28th because on that date in 1971, OSHA was established. OSHA enforces the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which requires employers to provide safe and healthy workplaces for their employees.

During this year's event in Cheyenne, family members held photographs while stating the names of their lost loved ones. Multiple legislators and State officials spoke, and a bell rang for each of the thirty-five workers who lost their lives in 2012. The thirty-five fatalities marked a disturbing five-year high for Wyoming, which, over the past fifteen years, has frequently had the highest or second highest workplace fatality rate in the nation.

Governor Matt Mead provided a letter renewing his commitment to workplace safety. He wrote: "[every] workplace fatality is an unacceptable loss. No one leaves for work with the thought they will not come home. No husband, wife, child, friend, or co-worker is prepared for news that their loved one lost their life, especially when that loss is caused by a preventable accident. In Wyoming, please be assured industry, workers and state agencies continue to work toward this goal – to ensure every employee is secure in the workplace and comes home from the job."

The Spence Association For Employee Rights, Lawyers and Advocates for Wyoming, and The Spence Law Firm are deeply committed to enhancing workplace safety, preventing workplace injuries and fatalities, and doing everything possible to improve Wyoming's dismal workplace safety record.