(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners gathered with local dignitaries, representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and leaders from organized labor to observe Workers Memorial Day on Thursday, April 28.

A day of remembrance for fallen workers, Workers Memorial Day highlights the vital contributions workers make to the American economy and society every day, and the importance of establishing and maintaining safe and healthy workplaces for all. In 2021, two workers lost their lives on the job in Middlesex County, underscoring the continued need for the crucial oversight of OSHA, the advocacy of labor unions, and the constant vigilance of all.

“The loss of even one worker is too many and is felt deeply by all of us,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Director Ronald G. Rios. “On Workers Memorial Day, we vow to remember the sacrifices of the workers we lost last year, and in years prior, and to remain ever vigilant in the fight to ensure safe and healthy workplaces for all. We must mourn for the dead but fight for the living.”

Workers Memorial Day was established nationally in 1989 and is observed annually on April 28 in honor of the date the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 went into effect.

Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 832,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. Ranked #1 in the state for best schools, the County offers an award-winning vocational school system, a county college, and workforce development creating a unique ecosystem in which opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.