Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations News Release

Bob Holden
Governor

Catherine B. Leapheart
Director

Tammy Cavender
Public Information Coordinator

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Cavender (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 15, 2003 

GOVERNOR TO JOIN IN MEMORIAL FOR WORKERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS

Jefferson City, MO – More than 80 Missourians were fatally injured in workplace accidents in 2002 and more than 148,000 were injured on the job, according to data released by the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Division of Workers’ Compensation.

Governor Bob Holden, along with the Missouri AFL-CIO and the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, will gather April 23 in the Governor’s Office, State Capitol beginning at 3:00 p.m. to honor these men and women who have lost their lives or been injured in the workplace.  The Governor will present a proclamation making the week of April 20 through April 26, 2003 Workers’ Memorial Week.

“While the Department recognizes unfortunate things happen in the workplace, it is committed to the establishment and maintenance of safe and healthy workplaces.  Statistics have shown that when workplaces are safe, productivity increases, workers’ compensation claims decrease and morale increases,” said Catherine B. Leapheart, director of the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.  “Missouri is one of few states that has incorporated, not one, but three safety and health programs to assist employers in developing, implementing and maintaining safer workplaces.”

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations works towards these goals through the Divisions of Labor Standards’ On-Site Safety and Health Consultation and Mine Safety programs and Workers’ Compensation’s Workers’ Safety program.  These agencies devote countless man-hours to assisting Missouri employers with their workplace safety and health needs.  For additional information regarding the Department’s safety programs, please contact Tammy Cavender at (573) 751-7500.
 

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