WCB Partners with Atlantic Superstore to Promote Young Worker Health and Saftety Awareness - May 2004

The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) and Atlantic Wholesalers Ltd. are showcasing the Young Worker Memorial LifeQuilt during North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) week. The LifeQuilt is a commemorative work of art that measures 9 feet by 20 feet and is meant to inspire parents, employers and all workers to think about what they can do to prevent the loss of a young life to a workplace injury.

Carol Anne Duffy, CEO of the Workers Compensation Board, explained that "the quilt memorializes young people between the ages of 15 and 24 who have been killed at work. It is a powerful and moving reminder of the many young lives lost tragically as a result of workplace injuries, and, sadly, includes a young worker from Prince Edward Island, Courtney Riley, who was killed in August of 2001." Duffy said, "Courtney’s parents, Roseanne and Roger Riley, have shown a great deal of courage and commitment in honouring their daughter’s memory through the LifeQuilt to help make sure other young workers are safe at work."

Francis Lund, Chair of Atlantic Wholesalers Ltd.’s safety committee, said "her organization is honoured to be given the opportunity to display the LifeQuilt. We have a unique environment where many of our employees are students and young workers. For some, we may be their first employer and so we are extremely mindful in how we impact their experience for health & safety in the workplace. As a testament to the tremendous effort of our workplace safety teams (JOHSC) and the store management, we are celebrating our 6th annual Health & Safety Conference during National Occupational Health and Safety Week. During past conferences we have been touched by the stories of Rob Ellis and Candace Carnahan who both have strong ties to the LifeQuilt."

Jim Lee, Chair of the Workers Compensation Board, said "the LifeQuilt moves us all to action by making us think about what we can do to prevent a family’s loss of a son or daughter to a workplace injury. The lifequilt is a constant reminder to everyone that we must protect future generations of Island workers while remembering and honouring those who have been seriously or fatally injured on the job." The LifeQuilt will be on display in Charlottetown at the Atlantic Superstore (564 University Avenue) on May 5 and 6 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m..

For more information contact Mark Barrett:

Tel: (902) 894-0362
Email: mabarrett@wcb.pe.ca