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On April 28, the unions of the AFL-CIO observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have died on the job. As we remember those who have been killed in workplace incidents, died from diseases due to exposure to toxic substances or injured from working in dangerous conditions or without proper training, we rededicate ourselves to renew the fight for safe workplaces. Each year, nearly 6,000 workers are killed at work, 50,000 die from occupational diseases, and million more are injured.
The Bush administration has turned it's back on workplace safety by blocking or overturning dozens of workplace protections on ergonomics, tuberculosis, indoor air quality and cancer-causing substances. We will fight for the right to form unions and speak out on job safety, and we will keep on fighting until all workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.
According to the Wisconsin Workers Compensation office, 54 workers died in 2003 from workplace accidents and occupational illnesses. This list is incomplete due to the fact that not all deaths in the workplace are able to be reported due to a law that only allows the release of information where a death benifit is paid by Workers Compensation.
As of April 22, 2005, the Iraq War has claimed the lives of 1569 US soldiers, including 1218 in combat. The 351 non-combat deaths include everything from vehicle and firearm accidents to drownings and suicides. According to the US Department of Defence, 11,888 have been wounded in action. But that number may actually be as high a 20,000 when you include those treated for injuries, illnesses, and psychological trauma. The Iraq War has the potential to claim many more US and Iraqi casualties, both military and civilian. Thirty-five Wisconsin soldiers have died in Iraq. Thier names, hometowns, and cause of death are listed below with the other Wisconsin workers.
If you, or someone you know, have lost a loved one to occupational illness or a death in the workplace and are looking for some help figuring out what to do and who to contact the United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities may be of help. This web site and the caring people who run it can provide support, awareness, tributes, memorials, article, self-help, workers comp. laws, wrongful death attorneys and safety resources. And most of all they care! They listen!
If you have a name of someone who died on the job in 2004, please forward it to WisCOSH so that we may include it in our memorial. Please include the date, cause of death and city/town, if you know it.