On Workers’ Memorial Day 2025, the Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA) and the Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS), both part of the Division of Industrial Relations (DIR) within the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, will pay tribute to workers who lost their lives due to job-related injuries and illnesses in Nevada and across the country.
Workers’ Memorial Day is observed every year on April 28, marking the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
The law guarantees every worker the right to a safe and healthful workplace.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 5,283 fatal work injuries occurred in the United States in 2023, a 3.7% decrease from 5,486 in 2022.
The national fatal injury rate declined from 3.7 to 3.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers during the same period.
Nevada recorded 57 fatal work injuries in 2023, down from 60 in 2022.
“Today, we pay tribute to the Nevadans who tragically did not return home from work,” said William Gardner, Chief Administrative Officer of Nevada OSHA. “Behind every statistic is a person, a family forever changed. Our mission is to prevent these losses through education, outreach, and enforcement. Every worker deserves to be safe on the job.”
“SCATS stands in remembrance of the lives lost and in solidarity with families, coworkers, and communities affected by these tragedies,” said Todd Schultz, Chief Administrative Officer of SCATS. “We are committed to supporting employers and workers with free training and consultation services that help identify risks and prevent workplace injuries. Together, we can build safer workplaces across Nevada.”
Support and Resources Available to Workers and Families:
- Kids’ Chance of Nevada
- This program provides college and technical school scholarships to children of workers who have been killed or seriously injured on the job in Nevada. Nationwide, the organization has awarded over 9,300 scholarships totaling more than $33.2 million.
- Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section (SCATS)
- SCATS offers no-cost services to Nevada employers, including on-site consultations, safety program evaluations, and training workshops aimed at preventing injuries and improving safety practices.
- Nevada OSHA – Worker Protections and Complaint Process
- Workers who believe they have been exposed to unsafe working conditions may report concerns or file a complaint with Nevada OSHA. Complaints are confidential under Nevada law, and both state law and federal law prohibit retaliation.
You can file a complaint online or by phone; for Northern Nevada complaints, call (775) 688-3700.
