Guelph event honours those injured or killed while on the job

Day of Mourning event in Guelph From CTV Kitchener's Hannah Schmidt: Rain didn't stop many gathering in Guelph to remember those who were injured or died on the job.

Dozens gathered at Goldie Mill Park in Guelph on the National Day of Mourning to remember workers who have suffered work-related disabilities, disease and death.

The day is meant to honour those who have been injured or killed in work-related incidents, but it’s also a day to educate workers on their rights.

At the Friday event, there were people lighting candles, laying wreaths and wearing pins or ribbons who paused for a moment of silence.

"It's a good platform for us to come together and talk about the issues we have and get the word out, if we work with our employers, we can affect some positive change within our workplaces across the province," said John Plater, co-chair of the Health and Safety Committee for Guelph Fire Department.

For those in attendance, they said it is not only a day of remembrance but also a day to renew a commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent injuries, illness and death.

Lew Mackey understands the importance of this message. He was injured on the job when he was 20 years old after his hand got caught in a machine.

“It happened a week before I was getting married, so that put that off for quite a few months,” Mackey said. “I was in the hospital for 14 operations and skin graphs and different things and therapy and back to school. I just wish back in ’67 there was more on-the-job training and training available to the factories and anything in general.”

The gloomy, wet day didn't stop the Visser sisters from attending their first National Mourning Day event to honour their late brother Ryan. He was 29 when he died on the job seven months ago.

"Our brother had a fatal allergic reaction to peanuts, wheat, soy, and they kept repeatedly sending him to places that jeapordize his health and his breathing to the point where he even needs a breathing tank," said Jesse Visser. "He passed out and his heart stopped for about a half hour. They took him to the hospital, but obviously there's too much brain damage and he passed away a couple days later.

"It's heartbreaking to see how many lives this affects and how many other families have to go through the same thing. This shouldn't happen to anyone else. I wouldn't wish this ony anyone to lose a family member this way, especially if it can be prevented."

The sisters went to the Guelph event in hopes of sharing their brother's story with the community.

"[They should have] listened to him when he said he couldn't go and took it more seriously," said Sydney Visser. "Find someone else to do the job."

Event organizer Mark Beradine says they want to support those who have suffered work-related accidents or illnesses as well as underline the importance of safety measures.

"We got the word out," said Beradine. "For people to show up when it's raining out is a good day. Sometimes we need that time just to get a little back on our feet and they they keep slugging along in our workplaces but do it safely and with more healthy attitudes."

Organizers in Guelph said they plan to continue to plan events like this in the future to support families who have lost loved ones.