Image Credit: Contributed by Jessica Kruger

By Jill Sperling

Day of Mourning

B.C. woman shares injury story on Day of Mourning to remind others to take precautions at work

Apr 28, 2021 | 4:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — National Day of Mourning recognizes people who have been injured or died in workplace incidents.

There were 151 work-related deaths in 2020 in B.C., many of which were the results of occupational disease or asbestos exposure. Tens of thousands of people were injured.

“We do take so many precautions, there’s just still so much more work to do in protecting British Columbians and everyone in general in the workplace,” said Jessica Kruger.

Kruger was only 15 years old when a workplace injury forever changed her life 13 years ago.

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“I started a job painting houses. It was a summer job and two weeks in I got to work, climbed two stories up a ladder to start working and I fainted and fell two stories off the ladder,” she said. “I broke my neck in four places. That accident resulted in me being a quadriplegic. I had spinal cord damage as well.”

Kruger now tells her story to remind others of the importance of taking all precautions in the workplace.

“You wake up in the morning and you head to work and you don’t think your entire life is going to change in the blink of an eye. I just want to be that reminder that one of the most important things to keep in mind when you head to work is just how you can protect yourself and what the potential risks are.”

The Kamloops and District Labour Council is sharing a similar message as they recognize the Day of Mourning.

“Most of those accidents and fatal injuries could have been prevented,” said Lois Rugg, president of the KDLC. “It’s important that we educate people to make sure that health and safety is top priority when they’re at work, and of course anytime in their lives.”

Flags have been lowered to half-staff today (April 28) to recognize the loss of life.

Kamloops is not immune to workplace tragedies. In February, a 35-year-old man died in a mud-rush incident at New Afton Mine. Contract Driller Ray Rosenberg was killed, leaving behind a young family. Two others were injured in the accident. It’s people like Rosenberg who are being honoured on this day.

“At 7:00 p.m. on kdlc.ca, our website, we will be doing a livestream ceremony which will be about 25 minutes to half-an-hour long,” said Rugg. “Again, just to hear a few stories and recognize those workers who have lost their lives.”

A car parade will be held at 5:00 p.m. starting at the Kamloops courthouse.