2019 Senate Joint Resolution 20
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming April 28, 2019, Workers' Memorial Day in Wisconsin.
Whereas, Workers' Memorial Day is observed every year on April 28; and
Whereas, it is a day to honor those workers who have died on the job, to acknowledge the grievous suffering experienced by families and communities, and to recommit ourselves to the fight for safe and healthful workplaces for all workers; and
Whereas, it is also the day the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was established in 1971. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their workers. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance; and
Whereas, events commemorating this day are being held across the nation and throughout Wisconsin; and
Whereas, in 2017 alone, 106 Wisconsin workers died in the workplace; and
Whereas, of the 5,147 fatal work injuries nationwide in 2017, the highest concentration occurred in two areas, with 2,077 fatalities involving transportation-related occupations and 971 fatalities in the construction trades and mining extraction industry; and
Whereas, 152 police officers and fire fighters were killed in 2017 along with 264 fatalities that occurred in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations; and
Whereas, nationwide every day the families of 14 workers are informed that their loved ones were killed while at work, and the rate of fatal injuries for U.S. workers in 2017 was 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers; and
Whereas, the annual observance of Workers' Memorial Day on April 28 provides us with the opportunity to remember and reflect on the lives of those we have lost and rededicate ourselves to efforts to make all workplaces safer; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the
senate, the assembly concurring, That the legislature proclaims April 28, 2019, as Workers' Memorial Day and asks all Wisconsinites to take time to reflect on the men and women we have lost and to rededicate ourselves to making workplaces safer; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
