Queensland creates memorial for workplace victims

Queensland’s state Government is honouring workers who have died as a result of work-related incidents, disease or illness, with two new memorials.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said an online honour roll had been established and a permanent memorial would be constructed in the Roma Street Forum to pay homage to those who have lost their lives at work.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to creating and supporting safe workplaces,” Ms Grace said.

“Today, on Workers’ Memorial Day, we are reminded there is always more we can do to keep our workers safe and we acknowledge the families and friends who have lost loved ones.

“Those who have lost their lives in workplaces incidents, or from work-related disease or illness, deserve to be honoured and remembered.

“Our new permanent memorial will increase public recognition of the tragic circumstances in which lives are lost at work and encourage all Queenslanders to consider how they can contribute to safety in the workplace.

“The public memorial at the Roma Street Forum is scheduled for completion in 2019.

“We have also established the online Queensland Workers’ Honour Roll.

“This honour roll will note the names of workers who have died as a result of a work-related incident or illness in our state. It will also include tributes and personal stories by the workers’ loved ones.

“It’s our hope that both of these memorials will serve as a lasting legacy and tribute for those lives we’ve lost.”

Ms Grace said registration for the Queensland Workers’ Memorial and online Honour Roll was completely voluntary.

“The idea for a new workers’ memorial was first raised by the Interim Consultative Committee for Work-Related Fatalities and Serious Incidents,” she said.

“I established this committee so that the Government, industry and Queensland communities could benefit from the understanding and experiences of families who have had to endure workplace tragedies in their lives.

“The committee provides advice to Government on the information and support needs of people affected by work related fatalities, serious injuries and illness.”

Ms Grace said 22 Queenslanders lost their lives in workplace incidents last year.

“In an effort to help reduce the number of these kind of tragedies, last year, the Palaszczuk Government last year brought in industrial manslaughter laws,” she said.

“These laws include jail time for reckless operators convicted of breaching safety laws at the cost for someone’s life.

“These tough industrial manslaughter laws are squarely aimed at protecting Queensland workers on the job and they leave negligent employers culpable with nowhere to hide.”