DIR and Cal/OSHA honor Workers’ Memorial Day
Oakland— The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) today honor workers who have lost their lives on the job, as well as those who have been injured or made ill in the workplace. Workers’ Memorial Day is observed each year on April 28, the anniversary of the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This day serves both as a solemn remembrance and a call to continue advancing safe and healthy working conditions for all.
A total of 419 workers in California lost their lives in 2024 on the job according to data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries(CFOI). Every fatality leaves a deep impact on families and communities across the state.
Governor Gavin Newsom released the following proclamation in honor of Workers’ Memorial Day.
While we pause to remember those we have lost, we are reminded of the importance of ensuring worker safety. The latest CFOI data, which includes information through 2024, shows continued improvement in California, with workplace fatalities declining for two consecutive years, marking a 17% decrease since 2022. The state has also maintained a lower average fatality rate than the nation as a whole.
About Cal/OSHA
Within the Department of Industrial Relations, Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California.
Workers in California are protected regardless of immigration status. Workers who have questions about safety and health in the workplace can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a live bilingual Cal/OSHA representative between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.
Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424 or their local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office, or email InfoCons@dir.ca.gov.
Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161