It felt like the weather was crying as the names of Saskatchewan workers, who have lost their lives at workplaces, were read.
In 2018, 48 men and women were killed on the job. On the National Mourning Day April 28, the Estevan community honoured their lives during the ceremony by the Coal Car. Names of six of the 16 people who died during the Humboldt Broncos crash were read, including former members of Estevan Bruins organization Darcy Haugan and Mark Cross.
The flags were flying at half-mast at the Estevan Court House and wreaths were laid. One was in memory of all Saskatchewan workers, and the other one in memory Wade Bye, who died of cancer after being exposed to fly ash while working in Bienfait.
“As a community, as workers and as employers, everyone needs to do their part in ensuring that everyone returns home safe to their loved ones after work,” said UMWA Local 7606 member Ashley Johnson.
Among the names that were read also was Mary Louise Clauson, a book keeper from Midale who died in shooting.
A candle was lit for each Saskatchewan worker who lost their life last year, when the number of fatalities at workplaces increased by 78 per cent, spiking from an average in the 20s to 48.
“Too many fatalities continue to occur in Saskatchewan workplaces… As leaders in occupational health and safety, we have an important role and responsibility to ensure the elimination of occupational illnesses, injuries and fatalities is a priority for industry and government,” said UMWA Local 7606 member Gary Malaryk.
Estevan Mercury is publishing the list of all Saskatchewan workers who lost their lives at workplaces in 2018:
- Wade Bye, a mine labourer from Swift Current died of cancer caused by exposure to fly ash in Bienfait;
- Mary Louise Clauson, a book keeper from Midale, shooting;
- Darcy Haugan, a head coach from Humboldt, Humboldt Broncos bus crash;
- Mark Cross, assistant coach from Strasbourg, Humboldt Broncos bus crash;
- Dayna Brons, an athletic therapist from Lake Lenore died in Humboldt Broncos bus crash;
- Tyler Bieber, a broadcaster from Humboldt, Humboldt Broncos bus crash;
- Glen Doerksen, bus driver from Carrot River, Humboldt Broncos bus crash;
- Neil Ingalls, a firefighter from Moose Jaw died of cancer;
- Arthur Brown, a bus driver/caretaker from Moose Jaw, heart attack;
- Douglas Carrick, a firefighter from Moose Jaw died of cancer;
- Brody Hinz, a statistician from Humboldt, Humboldt Broncos bus crash;
- Darrell Morrison, a volunteer firefighter from Rosetown was struck by a vehicle;
- Alessandro Mazzini, an order picker from Regina, cause of death - fall;
- August Lenuik, a shunt truck driver from Saskatoon got compressed by equipment;
- Bryan Beer, an apprentice mechanic from Saskatoon died of electrocution;
- Lesa Zoerb, a correctional worker from Maple Creek died in motor vehicle accident on Highway #21;
- Willmer Pizzey, an architectural project co-ordinator from Glaslyn, asbestos exposure in Various;
- Lawrence Koban, a maintenance worker from Yorkton, asbestos exposure;
- Malcolm MacDonald, an iron worker from Regina, asbestos exposure;
- Robert Curtis, an advanced care paramedic from Lumsden, suicide;
- Anthony Slager, a business owner from Goodsoil was struck by flying objects;
- Brian Mazzei, a mechanic from Saskatoon was compressed by equipment;
- Lionel Debray, a labourer from Saskatoon, asbestos exposure;
- Meaghan Miller, a farm worker from Dublin, Ireland, died in motor vehicle collision in Maidstone;
- Shelley Esplen, a group home operator from Regina, heart attack;
- Julien Pechard, a pilot from Farnham, Que., died in aircraft accident near Arborfield;
- Richard Hiebert, a safety co-ordinator from Saskatoon, asbestos exposure in Various;
- Shane Hartell, a cabinet finisher from Martensville fell while working in Saskatoon;
- Felino Estanislao, a part-time cleaning staff from Saskatoon, heart attack;
- Dale Schwabe, a labourer from Regina, asbestos exposure;
- Gilles Favreau, a truck driver from Tisdale fell when working in Zenon Park;
- Daniel Hill, a heating and power plant engineer from Regina, heart attack;
- Mervin Hultman, a firefighter from Saskatoon died of cancer;
- Daryl Matusko, a mechanic from Regina died in snowmobile accident;
- Joseph Ryan, a warehouse worker from West Vancouver, B.C., asbestos exposure while working in Regina;
- Larry Ens, a labourer from Foam Lake got caught in equipment;
- Kenneth McConnell, a warehouse worker from Regina, asbestos exposure;
- Muhammad Sarfaraz, a senior fish technician from Punjab, Pakistan, died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Lucky Lake;
- Reuben Penner, mechanical trades, from Saskatoon died in Various, asbestos exposure;
- Gregory Zerff, a mill worker from Regina, asbestos exposure;
- Howard Wood, a firefighter from Regina died of cancer;
- Robert Duhaime, a heavy equipment operator from Vawn, suicide;
- Donald (Simon) Grant, a restaurant owner from La Ronge, assault;
- Jaivadan Chevli, a cable installer from Regina died after asbestos exposure in Various;
- Alfred Pelletier, an iron worker from Regina died in Various after asbestos exposure;
- Harlin Aebig, a firefighter from Regina died of cancer;
- Wasyl Predenchuk, a carpenter/scaffolder from Regina, asbestos exposure;
- Joseph Cook, a firefighter from Regina died of cancer.
