Posted on March 28, 2022

On April 28, 2022, ADAO will again join individuals, trade unions, and organizations around the world for International Workers Memorial Day (IWMD), acknowledging those who have been injured or killed on the job. Fifty years ago on April 28, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) went into effect, a law that promised all workers the fundamental right to a safe job. This law passed thanks to the tireless efforts of those in the labor movement who organized for safer working conditions and forced the government to act. ADAO is honored to recognize IWMD, and to continue to fight to keep all workers safe from asbestos exposure while on the job.

The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (ALF-CIO) said that the day is to “remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to organize the fight for safe jobs. We will come together this year to call for action on hazards that cause unnecessary injury, illness and death. We will stand united to strengthen workers’ rights and protections, and demand resources and actions needed for job safety enforcement. We will fight for the fundamental right of every worker to a safe job until that promise is fulfilled.”

According to the World Health Organization, “125 million people in the world are exposed to asbestos at the workplace.” Armed with the facts, we know that knowledge is stronger than asbestos. Through our continued efforts to prevent exposure to asbestos including our recent Asbestos Awareness Week April 1-7 and the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN)– we hope to prevent the needless deaths of individuals both in and out of the workplace.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently drafting the risk management rule for chrysotile asbestos. We will be the only country in the world ignoring the other five fibers: crocidolite (riebeckite), amosite (cummingtonite-grunerite), anthophyllite, tremolite and actinolite. We know that asbestos is a risk — it is a known carcinogen and there is no safe level. Therefore, on IWMD, we again call on Congress to quickly and efficiently ban asbestos in all forms and prevent worker deaths. 

To follow the conversation online, use the hashtag #IWMD22. You can also help by signing the petition to ban asbestos in the US now without any loopholes or exemptions, and keep workers safe from the dangers of asbestos.

In solidarity, 

Linda Reinstein
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