TUMWATER, WA – The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) will honor 97 workers who lost their lives on the job during the state’s 32nd annual Worker Memorial Day ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, April 24, at 2:00 p.m. at L&I’s headquarters in Tumwater.

The annual event commemorates those who died due to work-related incidents and highlights the lasting impact of preventable workplace deaths. Of the 97 individuals being remembered, 29 had passed away in previous years but had not been recognized in past ceremonies.

The ceremony will include the reading of each worker’s name, followed by an opportunity for families to ring a brass bell in the Worker Memorial Garden and share remembrances of their loved ones. The public is invited to attend in person or view the event via live stream.

Speakers will include Governor Bob Ferguson, L&I Director Joel Sacks, representatives from the Washington State Labor Council and the Association of Washington Business, and the mother of a young logger who died on the job.

This year’s memorial highlights several causes of workplace fatalities. According to L&I, 33 workers died due to exposure to toxic chemicals, including 13 individuals who had worked at the Hanford nuclear site. Others worked in roles such as firefighting, pipefitting, and industrial operations involving hazardous substances.

Motor vehicle-related incidents accounted for more than a dozen deaths, including Washington State Trooper Chris Gadd, who was killed at age 27 when another vehicle struck his patrol car at high speed.

“These tragedies are stark reminders that both visible and hidden hazards in the workplace must be taken seriously,” said Director Sacks. “The individuals we honor today came from diverse backgrounds and professions, but they all contributed to their communities and are deeply missed.”

Worker Memorial Day is observed annually in April and is part of a nationwide effort to recognize those who have died due to workplace incidents and to promote safer working conditions.