Apr 25 2013
Today is the International Day of Mourning, a day when we commemorate those workers and their families who have been affected by workplace tragedy—and strive to work together to ensure we all go home safely at the end of the day.
In 2011, over 900 workers lost their lives at work and nearly 250,000 were injured on the job. Last year, the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) commissioned the documentary film Before Day's End to show the devastating emotional and life-changing impact that workplace accidents have on people's lives. The film chronicles the details of five separate workplace accidents and provides first-hand accounts from victims and family members.
Before Day's End goes beyond the usual safety do's and don'ts. It aims to make people stop and think more deeply about safety.
"A group of about six folks in my office watched the video," says Mike Fyrer , US Navy safety specialist at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. "All of us are safety specialists. We often get together to review safety videos. This is the first time I have seen the group be emotionally affected by a video and have positive feedback. More often we get poorly acted safety videos with terrible re-enactments."
This poignant documentary helps viewers become conscious not only of daily blessings, but of the importance of following safety precautions and of exercising care when working.
"The film hits just where it needs to—right at the heart," says JudyLynn Archer , president and CEO of Women Building Futures, an Edmonton-based organization dedicated to helping women get into the skilled trades. "We take workplace and personal safety very seriously here at WBF. Before Day's End has been used to help our students, staff, and volunteers practise what the video says—"Slow down. Trust your gut. Get home safe."