JEFFERSON CITY, MO - The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, along with members of the 97th General Assembly, honored 83 workers who lost their lives in the workplace during 2014 at the annual Missouri Workers’ Memorial Ceremony today.
“No person should have to give their life for their job,” said Ryan McKenna, Director of the Missouri Labor Department. “Today, we recognized 83 families who laid to rest a father, mother, husband, or wife. Businesses and workers need to work together to ensure no family experiences this loss.”
More than 60 family members gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to remember their loved ones. McKenna presented the Missouri Workers’ Virtual Memorial, a slideshow featuring photographs of the fallen workers with personal messages from their families. The Boone County Fire Protection District Pipes and Drums accompanied the presentation with their bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace. The Missouri Department of Corrections’ Color Guard presented the national and state flags.
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations offers free safety training to Missouri employers and encourages all businesses to incorporate the Workers’ Memorial theme, “Safe Jobs Save Lives”, in their workplace. To learn more about the Department’s free safety programs, visit www.labor.mo.gov/onsite or call 573-522-SAFE.