Every year on April 28, the University of Alberta recognizes the National Day of Mourning in remembrance of workers who have died, or suffered injury or illness on the job, or have experienced a work-related tragedy. It is a day to reflect and honour those who have been affected, and their loved ones, as well as to recognize the somber impact these tragedies have.
The day reminds us of the importance of continuing our work on improving health and safety across the university. We all have a role to play by creating and maintaining a safe work environment for ourselves and our colleagues.
It is also an opportunity to refamiliarize ourselves with the initiatives outlined in A Culture of Care, our three-year action plan that will embed health and safety as a core value within the university community. A Culture of Care’s goal is to empower U of A employees to own their safety performance and care about those around them, so that everyone can get home safely each day.
President Bill Flanagan and Board of Governors’ Chair Kate Chisholm recently signed a leadership commitment supporting A Culture of Care, outlining that they will lead and act in alignment with its principles of: working safely, taking responsibility for safety performance and championing safety at our institution. Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment is currently working with senior leaders from across the university to gather more signatures on the commitment and reinforce its message so that we can all lead with purpose together.
We know that creating a safe workplace across One University is multi-faceted and requires specific attention to several factors, including cultural, physical and psychological safety, which is why we are taking an all hands on deck approach. By embracing a core value of safety, the U of A can strengthen its foundation by ensuring people’s health, safety and well-being is central to everything we do.
As our university banner and the Canadian and Provincial flags are lowered in observance of National Day of Mourning, I also encourage you to participate in a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on April 28. And, if you’d like to learn more about the effects that workplace safety has had on a member of our own university community, please read Shalin Bukkem’s touching story. It's a powerful reminder of how small acts of care and concern for one another can make a world of difference to our colleagues and their loved ones.
Todd Gilchrist
Vice-President (University Services & Finance)
The University of Alberta is committed to the safety, health and well-being of our faculty, staff and students. Every day, we advance this commitment to safety through the Culture of Care.