Workers’ Memorial Day is a Reminder of the Importance of Environmental, Health, and Safety Programs to Protect Workers and Communities

On April 28, 1971, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) opened their doors with a mission to assure safe and healthful working conditions for all workers in America. April 28^th is also the day that Workers’ Memorial Day is observed each year in the United States, Canada, and many other nations across the globe.
 
This day of recognition is important to remember and honor all those who have died while working and is a reminder of the need for effective environmental, health, and safety programs to prevent future fatalities, illnesses, and injuries. While workplaces in the United States and much of the rest of the modern world have become safer over the years, preventable occupational illnesses, injuries, and deaths still occur far too often. This past December, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were a total of 5,147 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States in 2017, down slightly from the 5,190 fatal injuries reported in 2016. The fatal injury rate decreased to 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers from 3.6 in 2016. BLS also reported that there were approximately 2.8 million private employer-reported nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2017. This equates to 2.8 cases per 100 FTE workers, which was almost 45,800 fewer total cases than were recorded in 2016.
 
“Employers are responsible for providing ‘safe and healthful working conditions’ for their workers under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970,” said Dirk Yamamoto, PhD, CIH^® and Chair of ABIH^®. “Committed to achieving this goal are thousands of dedicated Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs), Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEPs), and those with the Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation. These steadfast professionals are employed worldwide and are instrumental in helping private employers, institutions, and government agencies implement and improve environmental, health, and safety programs. At ABIH^® we recognize Workers’ Memorial Day and all it stands for and thank the countless industrial hygiene and environmental professionals that work tirelessly each day to make our workplaces, communities, and environment a better place for all of us.”
 
To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene^®, the Certified Industrial Hygienist^® credential, or to locate a CIH^® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org or email abih@ABIH.org . For information about the QEP^® credential or EPI designation, visit www.IPEP.org or email ipep@IPEP.org . Please call (517) 321-2638 for questions about ABIH^® or its credentials and designations.
 
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ^®
Since 1960, ABIH^®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH^® is the premier credentialing body responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance, and ethics enforcement. ABIH^® also administers the Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP^®) credential for established environmental practitioners and the Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation for early-career practitioners. Currently, more than 7,600 people around the world hold the CIH^® credential, QEP^® credential, or EPI designation. 
 

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Paul Cochrane

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