Wendy-Ellen Nittel’s life changed forever on July 2, 2012, when her 23-year-old son, Blaine, died in a workplace incident. Since then, she has been working with the Association for Workplace Tragedy Family Support, known as Threads of Life, to support families of individuals who have died in workplace accidents. Nittel shares Blaine’s story at exhibitions and trade shows to raise awareness about the importance of safety on the job. She is passionate about keeping others safe and will continue to share her son’s story to prevent similar tragedies from happening. A special ceremony was held in Lethbridge to honor those who have lost their lives in workplace incidents.
The National Day of Mourning has been observed in 80 countries since 1991 to pay tribute to those who have died while on the job. In Canada, around 1,000 people died due to job-related incidents in 2022, with 165 lives being lost in Alberta alone. Wendy-Ellen Nittel emphasizes that each of these fatalities has a real impact on families and should not be reduced to just statistics. Tim Scott, the health and safety coordinator with the City of Lethbridge, echoes this sentiment by highlighting the long-term consequences of workplace fatalities. While there have been no reported traumatic workplace deaths in recent years in the city, there is still work to be done to ensure worker safety.
Jeremy Charlesworth, the member engagement coordinator with CUPE 70, emphasizes the importance of employees feeling empowered to speak up about dangerous work conditions. He acknowledges the challenges faced by workers, especially those who are not part of a union and may not have the necessary support to address safety concerns with their employers. Nittel also stresses the need for workers to know that they have the right to refuse unsafe work and that they are not obligated to follow instructions that put their safety at risk. While there has been progress in supporting health and safety in the workplace, she believes there is still a long way to go.
Overall, the message from Nittel, Scott, Charlesworth, and others involved in workplace safety advocacy is clear: every workplace fatality has a profound impact on families and communities. By sharing personal stories, raising awareness, and empowering workers to prioritize safety, they hope to prevent future tragedies. The commemoration of the National Day of Mourning serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing worker safety and ensuring that every individual returns home safely at the end of the day. With ongoing efforts to improve health and safety practices in the workplace, there is hope for a future where workplace fatalities are prevented, and families are spared the devastating loss experienced by Wendy-Ellen Nittel and many others.
