The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will honor the memories of more than 100 workers who died as a result of job-related injuries or illnesses in Washington in 2005 at its Worker Memorial Day ceremony at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at the L&I headquarters in Tumwater.

The ceremony is Washington state’s official Worker Memorial Day commemoration and is one of many held in communities across the nation. This event will mark L&I’s 13th year of hosting a special ceremony to recognize and honor fallen workers.

“Worker Memorial Day is a somber reminder that there is still much work to do to make sure every worker in Washington returns home safely at the end of the day,” said L&I Director Gary Weeks. “We honor those who died last year by pledging to do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies from being repeated.”

The simple ceremony will open with a welcome by Weeks. Speakers include Ron Judd of the Governor’s Office, Don Brunell of the Association of Washington Business, Alan Link of the Washington State Labor Council and Andy Rowlson from Washington Self-Insurers’ Association.

Family members of workers who died in 2005 have been invited, and the observance is open to the public. The centerpiece of the ceremony is a reading of the names of the workers, accompanied by bell ringers from the Washington State Council of Firefighters.

L&I’s headquarters building is located at 7273 Linderson Way S.W. in Tumwater (exit 101 from Interstate 5).