Halifax's Steps for Life walk helps families of injured or killed workers

Almost 200 people walked Saturday in Halifax to raise money for families whose loved ones have been injured or killed on the job.

Statistics from the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia show 19 people died from job-related health issues and diseases, and eight died in workplace tragedies last year. The numbers for 2014 were 14 and five, respectively.

One of the Steps for Life walkers, Paulette Raymond, said her brother Tommy Raymond died in a workplace accident in 2009 in Halifax.

"When he was first killed, I had an extremely difficult time just getting back on my feet. A day without tears was far and few between," Raymond told Radio-Canada.

'I miss him every single day'

Raymond received some help from Threads of Life, an organization for which the walk raised money. She then started volunteering herself, speaking about her experience and the importance of workplace safely.

"I started to gain a little bit of strength and before I knew it, I was feeling so much better," she said.

"I miss him every single day of my life — and I always will, but when I get to do something good for other people, it helps me."

Educate young workers

The group raised around $12,200. Organizer Lissa Gaudet said around 2,200 families across Canada use the services provided by Threads of Life.

"How do you get back to reality? How do you get back to your life after you've lost your loved one?" she said.

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She said one of their focuses is educating young workers so they understand potential hazards and how to protect themselves.

This focus also holds true for the Workers' Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, which rolled out new programs to educate students last year, according to the board's annual report.

'Worker safety is a priority'

At the march, Deputy Transportation Minister Paul LaFleche said workplace accidents impact everyone.

"The personal consequences for the worker are very serious. For the family, it's very sad," he said.

LaFleche said the department has added an internal division to raise awareness of safety measures in public building and highway construction.

"Worker safety is a priority very much for us in government," he said.