WASHINGTON -- “One fatality is one too many,” was the theme of a statement released yesterday, Workers Memorial Day, by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr.

"On this day, we remember and honor those who were injured or lost their lives as a result of job-related hazards,” he said. “One fatality is one too many. We pay tribute to them and will continue to remain steadfast in our mission of promoting a safe and healthy workplace for all employees."

In Des Plaines, IL, American Society of Safety Engineers President Michael W. Thompson, CSP, noted that workplaces are safer today than they were decades prior to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

"On the observance of Workers Memorial Day, we take this time to remember those who have lost their lives from on-the-job injuries and the thousands more who have been injured each year and reflect on how we continue to work to make sure everyone who goes to work returns home safely to their families every day.  Our members assess hazards and risk with employers and workers to assure everyone has the right to make a living without impacting their safety and health.

Between 1906 and 1911, 13,228 miners were killed in U.S. coal mines. In 1910 the Bureau of Mines was established to improve the safety of miners by conducting research and to reduce accidents in the coal mining industry and was given inspection authority in 1941. In 1911, nearly 150 women and young girls died tragically during a fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, due to locked exits and inadequate fire extinguishing systems.

"Things have changed, but we need to continue to do more," said Thompson.

“Workers and businesses should turn to their occupational safety, health and environmental safety professionals for workplace safety information, guidance, training, and more. And more businesses should adopt safety into their business culture and strategy. This works,” added Thompson.