The ceremony, Washington's official Worker Memorial Day commemoration, is one of many being held in communities across the nation. This event will mark L&I's 10th year of conducting a special ceremony to recognize and honor fallen workers.
"This is our annual opportunity for workers, employers and surviving family members to join with L&I to remember those who have died and to remind ourselves that workplace safety and health is everyone's job," said L&I
Director Paul Trause. "I can think of no better way to honor these workers than for all of us to rededicate ourselves to our primary mission of protecting workers."
L&I's ceremony, scheduled for 2 p.m. at the department's central office, is a simple one. Trause will emcee and introduce remarks by Fred Kiga, the governor's chief of staff; Rick Bender of the State Labor Council; Don Brunell of the Association of Washington Business; and Katrina Zitnick of the Washington Self-Insurers Association.
The centerpiece of the ceremony is a reading of the names of workers who died, accompanied by ceremonial bell tolling. Visitors are also invited to view the worker memorial garden in front of the L&I building.
Family members of the workers who died in 2002 have been invited, and the observance is open to the public. L&I's central office building is located at 7273 Linderson Way S.W. in Tumwater (exit 101 from Interstate 5).