Peace region saw seven work-related deaths in 2022

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — WorkSafe BC reports that of the 181 work-related deaths in 2022, seven were from the Peace River region. 

At the National Day of Mourning ceremony in Fort St. John, Budd Phillips, manager of prevention field services for WorkSafe BC, said the Peace River area is number three for workplace deaths in the province, behind Vancouver and Fraser Valley.

Driving-related fatalities account for over half of the work-related deaths in the Peace River region, he said.

According to WorkSafe BC, of the 181 deaths, 107 of the deaths were a result of occupational diseases, 48 were the result of traumatic injuries, and 26 were the result of motor vehicle accidents. 

General construction had the most amount of deaths at 48, followed by transportation at 25, and public administration at 20.  

The report was released as part of the National Day of Mourning on April 28th for those who died in the workplace.

A ceremony honouring the Day of Mourning was held in Fort St. John, starting with a march from City Hall to Centennial Park.

The Day of Mourning has been observed in Canada since 1984.