Oregon Honors Workers Killed on the Job
Annual ceremony in Salem remembers employees lost to workplace injuries and illnesses while calling for renewed safety commitments.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Apr 27, 2026
State safety officials and labor leaders will gather on Tuesday, April 28, to honor Oregonians who died from work-related injuries and illnesses during the past year.
The Workers Memorial Day ceremony, scheduled for noon at the Fallen Worker Memorial, serves as a public recognition of individuals lost to preventable workplace tragedies in 2025. The event is hosted by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) and the Oregon Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.
The service will include a reading of the names of the deceased and a formal proclamation from Gov. Tina Kotek. Scheduled speakers include Oregon OSHA Administrator Renée Stapleton and Oregon Labor Federation President Graham Trainor.
Organizers said the event is intended to revitalize efforts to eliminate workplace hazards. While state officials noted that injury and fatality rates have declined over several decades due to cooperation between government and labor groups, advocates maintain that current death tolls remain too high.
Under the Oregon Safe Employment Act, employers are legally required to maintain healthy environments, provide safety training and comply with industry-specific regulations. Workers in the state have a protected legal right to safe conditions and are shielded from retaliation for reporting hazards.
The observance coincides with the national Workers Memorial Day, held annually on April 28. The date marks the anniversary of the 1970 passage of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.
In addition to the ceremony, state officials are highlighting free resources available to both employers and staff, including consultation services and education programs provided by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.