Workers Memorial Day

A Day We Mourn for the Dead and Reaffirm Our Fight for the Living

Workers Memorial Day is held April 28 every year, all over the world. More people are killed at work than in wars. In 2022, a U.S. worker died every 96 minutes from a work-related injury. Most workers don’t die of strange ailments or in tragic “accidents.” They die because an employer decided that their safety just wasn’t a priority. Workers Memorial Day is a time to commemorate the workers we’ve lost and reaffirm our fight for the health and safety of the living.

U.S. public sector employers reported 481 workplace fatalities in 2021 — a 16 percent increase over 2020. Unfortunately, all states are not required to report the number of injuries and illnesses suffered by public employees, so we don’t know the extent of the problem in the public sector. However, we do know public employees face a 67 percent higher rate of injury and illness compared with their counterparts in the private sector, yet more than 8 million public employees don’t have any protections under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Some specific health and safety issues and concerns facing our members include:

Workplace Violence

Fatalities due to violence and other injuries increased 11.6 percent from 2021 to 2022, bringing the total to 849. Homicides accounted for 61.7 percent of these fatalities. Many assaults and threats our members face daily go unreported because workers are encouraged to accept workplace violence as “part of the job.” Workers have the right to a safe and healthy workplace, as well as protection from assaults, weapons and verbal abuse.

• Healthcare and social assistance workers — nurses, techs, aides, doctors, physician assistants, social workers, caseworkers, and others.
• In 2021 and 2022, healthcare and social assistance workers suffered 76 percent of all injuries severe enough to require time off or medical care. These workers are nearly five times more likely to be assaulted on the job compared with all other workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. BLS statistics show that between 2006 and 2020, the rate of workplace violence jumped 173 percent in hospitals, 95 percent in psychiatric and substance use facilities and 113 percent in home health agencies. One study found that nurses and patient care aides experience physical or verbal aggression at least once every 40 hours worked.
• School staff — teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, and others.
• Assaults by students are at epidemic proportions, with some injuries to our members being so severe that they’ve had to leave their chosen profession. Everyone loses when school staff don’t have a safe workplace.
• A recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association, “Violence Against Educators and School Personnel: Crisis During COVID,” concluded that “physical and verbal violence directed against educators may be exacerbating reports of high stress, transfers and leaving the profession …” and that many teachers, administrators and other school personnel described the violence they face as ongoing and pervasive. One educator described their experiences. “I have been physically assaulted multiple times by students in the building and they know that not only is there no one to stop them, but there will be no consequences either. I ended up in the hospital the last time it happened.”

The risk of violence in the workplace can be reduced. The American Psychological Association, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the AFT offer guidance that will reduce the number and severity of attacks. We just need to put those recommendations into action at every workplace where violence is a daily threat to workers.

Extreme Temperatures

Millions of U.S. workers are exposed to heat in their workplaces — both inside and outdoors. Although illness from exposure to heat is preventable, thousands become sick every year from occupational heat exposure, and some cases are fatal. In 2022, the number of fatalities due to temperature extremes increased 18.6 percent.

• Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two to three days. In extreme heat, your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to serious illness or death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.
• According to OSHA, most outdoor fatalities (50 to 70 percent) occur in the first few days of working in warm or hot environments because the body needs to build a tolerance to the heat gradually over time. The process of building tolerance is called heat acclimatization. Lack of acclimatization represents a major risk factor for fatal outcomes.
• Some states have standards to protect workers from extreme heat, but there is no federal OSHA heat standard to cover all workers; the only recourse workers have is the general duty clause. Under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that “is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees.” This includes heat-related hazards that are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm. We need OSHA to pass a stand-alone standard on heat now!

Ergonomic Injuries and the Opioid Crisis

Ergonomic injuries stem from the improper design or setup of workspaces and tasks, leading to musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis or lower back pain. These injuries often arise from repetitive motions, awkward postures or excessive force exerted during work activities.

When workers experience ergonomic injuries, they often face chronic pain and discomfort that can disrupt their ability to perform tasks efficiently. Over time, persistent pain can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism and psychological distress. Individuals may seek medical intervention to manage their symptoms and regain functionality. Ergonomic injuries, resulting from repetitive stress or strain on the body due to workplace conditions, have been implicated in contributing to the opioid crisis.

• Ergonomic injuries (overexertion and bodily reaction) were the leading cause of worker injury in 2022 with more than 1.5 million cases reported.
• During 2022, over 131 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed in the U.S. Opioids, while effective at reducing pain, carry a high risk of addiction and dependence, especially with prolonged use. Workers may become reliant on opioids to cope with ongoing pain, leading to a cycle of escalating doses and dependency.
• As the body adapts to the drug, individuals may escalate usage, heightening the risk of addiction. Studies have demonstrated that up to 34 percent develop prescription opioid use disorder symptoms following an opioid prescription.
• Workplace cultures and practices can exacerbate this issue. In environments where productivity is prioritized over workers’ well-being, individuals may feel pressure to continue working despite pain, leading to prolonged injury and greater reliance on opioids. Limited access to ergonomic assessments and interventions can further perpetuate the cycle of injury and opioid use.
• Employers should prioritize ergonomic assessments and interventions to minimize injury risks. This includes redesigning workspaces, providing ergonomic equipment, and implementing rotation of tasks to reduce strain. Additionally, healthcare providers must explore non-opioid pain management strategies and ensure judicious opioid prescribing practices.
• Addressing ergonomic concerns in workplaces and promoting alternative pain management strategies are essential steps toward mitigating this crisis and safeguarding the well-being of workers. By fostering environments that prioritize ergonomics and holistic health, the AFT can work toward breaking the link between ergonomic injuries and opioid addiction.

The Rise of Workplace Suicides

Work that is interesting and fulfilling is good for a person’s mental health, but a negative working environment or work-related stressors can lead to physical and mental health problems. Workplace suicides increased 13.1 percent to 267 fatalities in 2022. This followed consecutive decreases in both 2020 and 2021.

It is important for employers and others in positions of responsibility in the workplace to put in place measures to promote the good mental health of their employees, and to have a plan for supporting employees and colleagues who have mental health conditions or who may be at risk of suicide.

Recognize warning signs:

• Expression of thoughts or feelings about wanting to end one’s life or talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live, accompanied by changes in behavior, such as restlessness, irritability, impulsivity, recklessness or aggression;
• Acting anxious or agitated, and expressing feelings of isolation, loneliness, hopelessness, loss of self-esteem, or dwelling on problems;
• A significant personality change, such as becoming withdrawn or angry or talking about seeking revenge;
• Decrease in work performance or difficulty completing tasks;
• Speaking about arranging end-of-life personal affairs such as making a will, or having concrete plans for suicide;
• Using alcohol or drugs more often; and
• Irregular eating or sleeping habits.

Particular attention should be paid to people who are losing their job.

What you can do if you are worried about a colleague:

• Express empathy and concern, encourage them to talk, and listen without judgment.
• Ask if there is anyone they would like to call or have called.
• Help them connect and stay connected.
• Encourage them to reach out to health or counseling services inside the organization, if available, or otherwise outside the organization, and offer to call or go there together.
• If your colleague has attempted to or indicates that they are about to intentionally harm themselves, remove access to means, do not leave them alone and seek support.
• Seek immediate support from staff health services, if available, or health services outside the organization, such as crisis lines (988), call 911, or refer to a local emergency room for evaluation.
• Take action if there is a suicide threat or plan for self-harm (refer and get immediate help by calling 911 if needed).
• Staying in touch after a crisis can make a difference.

Know This Number! Preventing self-harm — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text 988)

Together on this Workers Memorial Day, we elevate safe jobs and raise our collective voice to protect what we have — confronting attacks on regulations that keep our workplaces safe and demanding action to win stronger protections. We hold employers accountable to keep workers safe. We demand more resources from Congress for our nation’s job safety agencies. We demand dignity at work.

We will continue to fight for a seat at the bargaining table and in the halls of government to ensure good jobs are safe jobs. We will fight to protect our fundamental right to a safe job until that promise is fulfilled.

For more information on workplace safety, visit our website at Health Hub: Health & Safety Resource Community