National Workplace Day of Remembrance
Dec 12 2023 11:09AM
National Workplace Day of Remembrance: Why it Matters
On December 12th, the UK observes the national workplace day of remembrance, a day to honor and remember all those who have lost their lives while working. This day was established in 2019, inspired by the Oak Colliery disaster of 1866, which claimed the lives of over 380 miners and rescuers in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
The Oaks Colliery disaster was the worst mining disaster in England, and one of the worst in the world. It occurred on 12th December 1866, when a series of explosions caused by flammable gas that accumulates in coal mines, ripped through the underground workings at Oak Colliery at Hoyle Mill near Stairfoot in Barnsley. The first explosion, which happened around 1.15pm, killed 334 of the 340 men and boys working underground. The second explosion, which happened the next day, killed 27 rescuers who had gone down to search for survivors. Many of the bodies of the victims were never recovered, and some were buried under the rubble of the collapsed shafts and tunnels.
The Oaks Colliery disaster exposed the poor health and safety conditions and practices in the coal mining industry at the time. The colliery had not been inspected by government officials for years, and the ventilation system was inadequate to prevent the build-up of gas. The miners used Geordie lamps which were prone to ignite the gas instead of safer Davey lamps. The colliery owners were accused of negligence and greed, but no one was held accountable or prosecuted for the disaster.
The day aims to raise awareness of the importance of health and safety at work, and to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of workers in all sectors and industries.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 135 workers were killed in work related accidents in Great Britian in 2020/2021, an increase of 29 from the previous year. The most common causes of fatal injuries were falls from height, being struck by a moving object, and being struck by a moving vehicle. The construction, agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors accounted for the highest number of fatalities, followed by manufacturing, transport and storage, and waste and recycling.
In addition to the tragic loss of life, work-related accidents and illnesses also have a significant economic and social impact. The HSE estimates that the annual cost of work-related injury and ill health in Great Britain was £16.2 billion in 2018/19, of which £10.6 billion was borne by individuals, £3.0 billion by employers, and £2.6 billion by the government. The total number of working days lost due to work-related ill health and non-fatal injuries was 38.8 million in 2019/20.
The National Workplace Day of Remembrance is an opportunity to reflect on the human cost of work, and to recognise the efforts of those who work to prevent and reduce the risks of harm. It is also a chance to show solidarity and support to the families and friends of those who have died.
The day also reminds us of the need to improve the health and safety culture and practices in our workplaces, and to ensure that every worker has the right to a safe and healthy work environment. As the Covid-19 pandemic has shown, the health and safety of workers is not only a matter of individual well-being, but also of public health and social justice. By working together, we can make work safer and healthier for everyone.