Once a year, flags are lowered across the country to remember those who have lost their lives to workplace injury and illness.
The Town of Bonnyville marks the day annually. On April 26, a Day of Mourning event was held to remember the 162 Albertan men and women who lost their lives to workplace injury or disease in 2018.
”Safer workplaces are something that we all have to take seriously,” expressed Mayor Gene Sobolewski. “It’s something that needs to be reinforced every day, every week, and every year in our workplaces and homes.”
The town, the Bonnyville and District Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses came together to organize the event.
Crystal Brazao, safety adviser for ATCO Electric and event organizer, described the number of people who died due to workplace injury or illness as “staggering.”
”The Day of Mourning is the national day of remembrance for us to honour our co-workers, our friends, and family who have lost their lives to workplace injury and disease and to those that have been seriously injured in the workplace. It’s also a day to collectively renew the commitment to create safer workplaces in our province.”
During the event, attendees participated in a moment of silence while the flags outside of the town office were lowered to half-mast to honour those who were lost.
ATCO Electric employee David Bennett took to the podium and shared his story of being injured on the job.
It all started back in February 2016 outside of Vegreville.
”I don’t remember a lot about the fall, but I slipped when I got my work boots out of the truck. I remember waking up with the lead hand calling my name, my face was covered in snow, and I could hear the sirens,” he described.
After being brought to the hospital, he was told he had suffered a severe concussion, hypothermia, and possible nerve damage on his arms and hands.
As a result, Bennett suffers from headaches, chronic neck pain, and short-term memory problems.
Six months after his accident, Bennett experienced another medical issue.
”I had a large blood clot in the main artery in my neck that had broken off and caused a major stroke. (Doctors) determined later on that the blood clot came from a micro tear that had resulted from the fall. There was no way we could have known it was there,” he said.
Bennett described the Day of Mourning as a difficult time for him.
”People tell me all the time that I should be thankful that I’m alive, and I am every day,” he expressed.
When he was approached about sharing his story, it was a difficult decision. He came to the conclusion to speak in honour of a co-worker who had passed away on the job a few years ago.
“He slipped, but he wasn’t so lucky. When I was asked to come to speak about my accident, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to. I thought long and hard about it. I talked to my wife and son about it, talked to my physical therapist, and the more I thought about it, the more I thought I should... I had the chance to tell my story, my friend didn’t.”
