Cal/OSHA Honors Workers' Memorial Day Across California
- State officials join events to remember workers’ lives lost and raise awareness for safer workplaces.
- Newly released report shows a decrease of nearly 13 percent in worker deaths.
Fresno—Today Cal/OSHA and the entire California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) joined with communities across California in solemn remembrance of Workers’ Memorial Day. This annual observance honors workers who tragically lost their lives on the job and reaffirms the state’s collective commitment to strengthening workplace safety.
Workers’ Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance held annually on April 28, the date the Occupational Safety and Health Act was enacted in 1971 to ensure safe and healthful workplaces.
Cal/OSHA and DIR participate in this event not only to honor workers’ lives and acknowledge family members’ losses, but also to raise awareness about workplace hazards and help prevent future tragedies.
2025 Workers' Memorial Day Events:
The photo below was taken in San Diego at UFCW 135 Hall.
What Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said: “Each life lost at work is a tragedy that leaves behind grieving families, friends, and communities. On this Workers’ Memorial Day, we reaffirm our solemn commitment to California’s workers that your safety and well-being are our highest priority.”
This year’s observance brings with it a significant milestone in workplace safety. In the latest research study of the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, California saw a meaningful reduction in workplace fatalities. For the first time since 2018, workplace fatalities in the state declined, dropping from a peak of 504 cases in 2022 to 439 cases in 2023. This marks a nearly 13 percent decrease in workplace deaths, reversing a recent upward trend and offering a hopeful sign for workers across the state.
About Cal/OSHA
Cal/OSHA, a division of DIR, is at the forefront in adopting regulations to prevent injury and illness, such as Heat Illness Prevention, COVID-19 Prevention, Wildfire Smoke Protections, and standards on respirable crystalline silica. Recently, Cal/OSHA focused on indoor heat hazards, conducting onsite inspections, providing consultation services to employers, and developing an Indoor Heat Illness Prevention Standard.
Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California.
Workers in California are protected regardless of immigration status. Workers who have questions about safety and health in the workplace can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a live bilingual Cal/OSHA representative between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.
Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.
Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161