Flags were lowered to half mast in front of the Timms Centre and 91原创 City Hall Friday morning, as roughly a dozen City of 91原创 employees and firefighters gathered to remember those who lost their lives trying to earn a paycheque.

Across Canada, April 28 has been designated the .

Every year, workers, families, employers, and communities come together at ceremonies held around the province to remember those who have lost their lives to work-related incidents or occupational disease, and renew the commitment to creating healthy and safe workplaces.

In 2016 in B.C., there were there were 144 work-related deaths; 103,548 short-term disability, long-term disability, and health-care only claims; and workplace injury and illness resulted in nearly 2.6 million lost days of work.

Of those 144 B.C. residents who lost their lives on the job, 27 worked in general construction, and 25 worked in transportation and related services, according to WorkSafeBC. The largest number of deaths (41) occurred in Greater Vancouver.

91原创 City mayor Ted Schaffer said workplace injuries represent 鈥減ain, loss of income, and even stress.鈥�

鈥淢any lives are affected by each and every one of these situations,鈥� Schaffer said. 鈥淭he City of 91原创 has been proactive in addressing health and safety issues, however, I firmly believe that, as an organization, we must take the time every year to remind ourselves and the employees of what could and may happen.鈥�

Also speaking during the ceremony were CUPE Local 2058 president Troy Wilson, and City of 91原创 firefighter Micah Rossnagel.

Meanwhile, the Township of 91原创 marked the day by holding ceremonies and lowering flags at both the Civic Facility in Willoughby, and at the Operations Centre in Murrayville.