Workers Memorial Day, observed annually on April 28th, is dedicated to remembering and honoring the workers who have tragically lost their lives, suffered debilitating injuries, or fallen ill as a direct result of their work. The day also serves as a powerful event to reaffirm the ongoing commitment to the fight for safe and healthy working conditions for all people. The preventable nature of many workplace tragedies underscores the importance of this annual observance, which calls for continued vigilance and proactive measures to protect workers.

The date commemorates the founding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1971. The day was first established by the AFL-CIO (the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) in 1989, inspired by similar observances in Canada and Europe. The goal was to recognize the human cost of unsafe work environments and to press for stronger safety standards and workers’ rights.

To underscore the issue, it is essential to consider the statistics surrounding workplace fatalities and injuries in the United States. In 1970, prior to the full impact of the OSH Act, an estimated 38 individuals died on the job each day.

While the establishment of OSHA has led to a significant decline in this figure, approximately 14 to 15 workers still lose their lives daily due to work-related incidents. In 2023, a total of 5,283 workplace fatalities were recorded in the US. The previous year, 2022, saw 5,486 deaths, an increase from the 5,190 fatalities in 2021.

Further Reading

The AFL-CIO released a report on worker deaths ahead of Workers Memorial Day: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114712-new-afl-cio-report-worker-deaths-on-the-job-to-worsen-under-trump-administration-policies

The Department of Labor honored Workers Memorial Day with activities on April 24, 2025: https://www.ishn.com/articles/114711-honors-fallen-workers-on-national-workers-memorial-day

Beyond the United States

The significance of remembering and advocating for worker safety on this date has gained widespread international recognition. April 28 is also observed globally as "International Workers' Memorial Day" or "International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured". 

In Canada, a parallel observance known as the "National Day of Mourning" also takes place annually on April 28. Earlier initiatives in Canada saw the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) establish a day of mourning in 1984, followed by the Canadian Labour Congress in 1985, both choosing April 28.

National COSH Releases 2025’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ Employers

The National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (National COSH) released its 2025 Dirty Dozen report to coincide with Workers Memorial Day. The annual report identifies twelve employers that have failed to protect workers on the job, leading to preventable injuries, illnesses, and deaths.

This year, Amazon receives a special dishonor, landing in the “Penalty Box” as a repeat offender.

The 2025 Dirty Dozen were selected based on severity of hazards, legal violations, industry influence, and ongoing worker organizing efforts, said National COSH in a statement.

“No one should die for a paycheck,” said Jessica E. Martinez, MPH, Executive Director of National COSH. “The employers on our Dirty Dozen list are putting profit ahead of people — endangering workers with unsafe conditions, stolen wages, retaliation, and abuse. These workers are not disposable. They are rising up, organizing, and demanding the dignity and safety every human being deserves.

“These companies operate with impunity — until workers exercise their rights, organize, speak up, and make clear demands for change,” said Martinez. “Our job at National COSH is to amplify their courage, shine a light on injustice, and call for accountability.”

Each year, National COSH identifies the Dirty Dozen through a rigorous, collaborative process. Nominations come from our national network of COSH groups, frontline workers, union organizers, health and safety experts, advocates, and academic allies.

Companies are selected based on multiple factors: the severity and frequency of harm to workers, repeat violations of safety laws, their power to shape industry norms, and — crucially — whether workers and their communities are actively organizing to expose unsafe conditions and demand change.

Read the full list of employers called out by National COSH: /articles/114713-national-cosh-names-2025-dirty-dozen-unsafe-employers

Sources

https://www.osha.gov/workers-memorial

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20240417

https://aflcio.org/about-us/conferences-and-events/workers-memorial-day