Honoring Lives Lost on the Job: Join Us for Workers' Memorial Day in Oklahoma

There are moments in life that bring us together and compel us to pause, grieve, and reflect. Workers' Memorial Day is one of those solemn occasions. It is a day not only to honor and remember the lives lost due to workplace incidents, but also to stand with those left behind—the families, friends, coworkers, and communities who carry the weight of that loss every single day.

In 2023 alone, more than 5,200 workers in the United States were fatally injured on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s one worker every 99 minutes—about 15 lives lost every day. These are not just numbers. Each statistic represents a person with a name, a face, and a story. They were individuals who woke up and went to work with the same hopes, responsibilities, and dreams we all carry—building a life, paying the bills, and supporting their families.

These sobering realities remind us that our work to protect workers is far from done. Every worker deserves to return home safely, and every family deserves to remain whole.

To honor those we’ve lost and recommit to the mission of workplace safety, the Oklahoma Department of Labor invites you to join us for a Workers' Memorial Day Vigil:

📅 Monday, April 28, 2025
🕙 10:00 AM
📍 2nd Floor Rotunda, Oklahoma State Capitol

This public event is made possible through the partnership and support of:

• Oklahoma Department of Labor

• Oklahoma AFL-CIO

• Oklahoma Safety Council

• Oklahoma City Chapter – American Society of Safety Professionals

• WISE – Women in Safety Excellence

• Oklahoma Building and Trades Council

• Oklahoma Industrial Hygiene Association

• Kids’ Chance of Oklahoma

• Capital City Safety

• CompSource Mutual

• OGE Energy Corp

Together, these organizations are committed to honoring the lives lost, supporting those left behind, and advocating for safer, healthier workplaces across our state.This public event will serve as a solemn space to remember Oklahoma workers who died on the job in 2024. We will reflect on their contributions, support those who are grieving, and stand together in solidarity and hope for a safer future.

As we honor the fallen, we also shine a light on the thousands who are left to navigate the painful aftermath. Workers' Memorial Day reminds us that safety is not just a workplace concern—it’s a community responsibility.

We hope you’ll stand with us in remembering, honoring, and committing to a future where no worker is left behind.

🔗 For more information, please visit okworkersmemorialday.com