More than a hundred people came together Sunday in Sudbury to pay it forward.

They were raising money for Threads of Life, a national group supporting families impacted by workplace injury, illness and death. 

It was a bright, spring day for people in Sudbury to take steps to raise awareness about a dark reality, workers injured or killed on the job.

Iain Buchanan was the guest speaker at the Sudbury fundraiser.

“There are three Canadians every day, who aren't going to come home from work, that's a horrible statistic. Horrible.” said Buchanan.

12 years ago Buchanan's brother, Rob, was killed on the job in British Columbia, when his plane flipped, crashed into a mountain and burned.

“The peer support is just wonderful for reaching out and for helping people, and they also help you when you say ‘you know it's kind of a dark time,’ the anniversary is coming up.” said Buchanan.

The walk is also about taking the steps necessary to make safety the top priority on the job.

 

Mike Parent is the Workplace Safety North director of occupational health and safety for the Ontario mining sector.

“Usually a combination of mistakes happen, which lead to a workplace tragedy. It really is the employer and the workers working together to make sure work places are safe and workers always go home to their families at the end of the day.” said Parent.

City of Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger says workplace tragedies are far reaching.

“From the employers, to the employees, safety in the workplace not only impacts the workers, especially when tragedy occurs, but it impacts their friends, their family and entire communities.” said Mayor Bigger.

Holly Baril is the Steps for Life Co-Chair and has been a health and safety trainer for the past 10 years.

“I think the common mistake or misconception is, that people make, is that it's not going to happen to me, or it's not going to happen in their workplace. You know any wrong decision, any wrong move, any miss of training, anything like that, and you could be in that situation.” said Baril.

She says everyone in Ontario has the right to refuse unsafe work.

 

“When they see something, they either feel is not done right or doesn't look to be safe, then speak up.” said Baril.

Organizers say they hope the walk encourages everyone to make a commitment to health and safety and to recognize and report any unsafe conditions.