MAINE — April 28 is nationally recognized as Workers Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have died on, or as a result of, their job. The Governor’s proclamation can be found here.

Tuesday, April 28, at 12:15 p.m., on the North Lawn of the State House in Augusta, the Maine Department of Labor and Maine Labor Group on Health held a remembrance for the Maine workers who died in 2025. The ceremony included remarks from Governor Janet Mills, President of the Central Maine Labor Council Patrick Wynne, Vice President of MSEA-SEIU Kevin Russell, and Peter Crockett of the Maine Labor Group on Health. The names of the 21 Maine workers who died due to workplace injuries or illnesses were read aloud.

In a news release following the ceremony, the Maine Department of Labor provided quotes from the event.

“Everyone should leave for work in the morning with the confidence that they will arrive home safely at the end of the day,” said Governor Janet Mills. “I have declared today Workers’ Memorial Day in Maine in tribute to the thousands of dedicated workers who die each year on the job, and the millions more who suffer work-related injuries and illness. May we all do our part to keep workplaces safe and honor the memory of those who have lost their lives while on the job.”

“In 2025, 19 people working in Maine lost their lives to workplace injuries or illnesses that resulted from their work. Two more Mainers died while working out of state,” said Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. “They worked in fishing, transportation, construction, shipbuilding, and conservation. They were parents, grandparents, siblings, veterans, small business owners, and neighbors. They loved their pets, rode motorcycles, hunted and fished, and shared stories. Each contributed to their community. We join their loved ones in mourning these painful losses.”

The federal Occupational Safety & Health Act was signed in 1970, promising every worker the right to a safe and healthy workplace. This was following decades of tragic and preventable losses of American workers lives. In 1970, it is estimated, around 14,000 American workers were killed on the job. Investments in workplace safety and health training and compliance since then has reduced the number of deaths each year.

Nationally in 2024, the latest year for which there is a complete record, there were 5,070 fatal work injuries, a 4% decrease from the previous year. There were 3.3 fatalities per 100,000 FTE workers, meaning one worker died every 104 minutes. Workers in transportation and material moving occupations represented the occupational group with the most fatalities.

"Every worker deserves to come home safe after their shift,” said Bureau of Labor Standards Director Kate Burkhart. “Employers, workers, the Department, and others all have a role in making sure that happens.”

Some steps the Department takes to improve workplace safety and health are:

• Holding classes through the SafetyWorks! Training Institute to help employers and workers learn how to use equipment safely and correctly;
• Providing no-cost safety consultations for employers;
• Increasing awareness through messaging and publications about workplace hazards;
• Collecting data on deaths and injuries in order to see trends;
• Administering the Safety and Health Achievement and Recognition Program (SHARP), and Safety and Health Award for Public Employers (SHAPE), to promote workplace safety and health;
• Collaborating with OSHA, local industry alliances, and others to provide Maine’s employers with information, guidance, and access to training resources to protect workers; and
• Enforcing workplace safety and health laws in Maine’s public sector through inspections and investigations and by issuing penalties for serious violations.

The Department encourages any employer or worker who has questions or concerns about workplace safety to contact the Workplace Safety and Health Division at 207-623-7900. For more information about Maine’s SafetyWorks! Training Institute and how to sign up for no-cost consultations and trainings, visit: https://www.safetyworksmaine.gov/.