Those who died on the job - from 18-year-old Brody Hinz of the Humboldt Broncos organization - to people in their 80s from occupational diseases were remembered Sunday.

The International Day of Mourning for those who died while working took place Sunday at the Moose Jaw Union Centre.

Stacey Landin from the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council was one of those who read the 48 names of those who died while working in Saskatchewan in 2018.

“It’s like reading 48 funerals in a very short time and recognizing those who had to pay a sacrifice because of their work,” Landin said. “It’s kind of an emotional time for me especially, I find it. But it’s a day where it gives you pause to remember those who came before and how much we need to protect those who are with us now and those to come behind.”

Wreaths were laid for those who died from falling objects, motor vehicle collisions, and asbestos exposure. Landin read the names solemnly, from those between 18 and those in their 80s.

“It makes me think that some of those folks in the higher end of the age range probably have suffered for a long time, especially with asbestos exposure and cancers, and so on... so their families have been influenced by this for a long time,” she said.

Landin said that federally, a law was changed in 2014 to not allow workers the right to refuse work they deem too dangerous, although provincial law still allows workers the right to refuse.

“To make it easier to cause death at work, rather than protecting those who are doing that job, I just don’t understand the reason for that,” Landin said. “I think it’s counterproductive.”