It was an emotional day for London family as the International Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job was marked.
The family of Jeremy Bowley - who was killed on the job last summer - attended the event for the first time on Monday.
Bowley, a 21-year-old student, was part of a crew putting up a wedding tent in Lambton County when a tent pole hit a power line and he was electrocuted. Three others were injured.
His mother and sister say that it's important to raise awareness about workplace safety.
Kaitlyn Bowley says, "It's still really hard. Being a big sister you just want to make sure your brother's taken care of. And I'm just glad that people can learn from our loss."
Mom Elisa Kilbourne adds, "It's only been not quite nine months and for us just knowing that everyone wants to work together to prevent further tragedies it's just so important, especially when it's so preventable. And we hear all these stories over and over again of people that have been injured or have lost their lives."
They were among some 75 people who took part in the London ceremony for the International Day of Mourning.
Bowley was one of 243 people in Ontario who was killed in a job-related incident in 2013.
Advocates say that with young people set to leave school to take on summer jobs, Bowley's death is a reminder of why it is so important to know workplace rights.
Essex NDP MPP Taras Natyshak says "It's important to go to work and be productive, but your main job is to make sure that you come home at the end of the day."
Employees have the right to be informed of workplace hazards, to take part in safety programs, and to refuse unsafe work.
Elisa says "Just know that you have that right to know how to be safe in the workplace and if it isn't right - it doesn't feel right - just step back and it's okay, your parents will be happy. Trust me they will be happy knowing that you had the ability and the knowledge to step back from it."
The company that Bowley was working for, Signature Events Rental Shoppe, is facing nine workplace safety charges. The court proceedings are set to begin May 5th.
