April 28, 2011

Washington, DC—Nevada Senator Harry Reid released the following statement on Workers Memorial Day, which honors workers who have been killed, injured or contracted a serious illness on the job:

“Over the last century we’ve made incredible progress toward making the workplace a safe place for every man and woman, and prevented countless tragedies. But too many men and women who put in an honest day’s work to put food on the table for their families are still in danger. Every day in the United States about 150 workers die from job-related injuries or diseases, all of which could have been avoided. Today we commemorate the sacrifice of construction workers, cops, firefighters, miners, farmers and people from all walks of life who seek to provide a better life for their families through hard work.

“In recent years, workplace safety issues have touched Nevada in very serious ways. That’s why I have worked with state and federal officials to improve regulations that protect worker safety and to ensure those regulations are properly enforced. Today’s visit by Secretary Solis to Nevada, where the heat of the desert southwest can make job sites more dangerous, is part of that effort. Our work will not stop until every Nevada workplace is safe, and families across the country know that when their fathers and mothers, sons and daughters go to work in the morning, they’ll come back that night in one piece.”

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