2015 Assembly Joint Resolution 108
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming April 28, 2016, 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 2014 alone, 97 Wisconsin workers died in the workplace; and
Whereas, of the 4,679 fatal work injuries nationwide in 2014, the highest concentration occurred in two areas with 1,289 fatalities involving transportation-related occupations and 885 fatalities in the construction trades and mining/extraction industry; and
Whereas, 211 police officers and fire fighters were killed in 2014 along with 253 fatalities that occurred in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations; and
Whereas, nationwide every day the families of 13 workers are informed that their loved ones were killed while at work and the rate of fatal injuries for U.S. workers in 2014 was 3.3 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 assembly, the senate concurring, That the legislature proclaims April 28, 2016, as Workers' Memorial Day and asks all Wisconsinites to take time to reflect on the men and women we lost and to rededicate ourselves to making workplaces safer; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this resolution to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
