Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon today joined families, loved ones and workers at an International Day of Mourning remembrance event at the Newcastle Foreshore Memorial Plaque.

The International Day of Mourning is recognised on 28 April each year to commemorate the men, women and children who have been killed or injured at work, or become sick from exposure to hazardous substances.

“Today is a day to recognise and remember those who went to work one day and never made it home,” Ms Claydon said.

“With the recent tragic deaths of local miners Phillip Grant and Jamie Mitchell, today’s memorial service will have particular significance for the people of our region.”

“The death of a loved one is always a tragedy, but the death of a loved one while at work is just something nobody expects or deserves,” she added.

In Australia each year on average, up to 300 people are killed at work and an estimated 2,000 people will die from industrial diseases caused by exposure at work. The average age of a worker who is killed on the job is 37.

“One death at work is one too many yet almost every day in Australia we are still seeing a worker killed and a family devastated.”

“We continue to eliminate risks and make improvements to workplace safety, but if there are still people going to work and never making it home, we have more to do.”

Today’s remembrance event is being held at the Newcastle Memorial Plaque on the Newcastle Foreshore at 12.30pm.