The International Workers’ Memorial Day service at Adelaide’s Pilgrim Uniting Church on Sunday afternoon will commemorate lives lost to work-related death.

Each year an average of 197 workers are fatally injured at work in Australia, and thousands more workers are affected by injuries or work-related illness and disease.

SafeWork SA Executive Director Martyn Campbell said this annual service is an opportunity to highlight the preventable nature of workplace incidents and for the families, friends and colleagues left behind to share their experiences.

“It is important that we take this opportunity each year to remember the mums, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and loved ones who never returned home from work.

“It is important that we also acknowledge those who have been injured or made unwell because of their work,” he said.

International Workers' Memorial Day, marked annually on 28 April, is supported by the Government of South Australia, Pilgrim Uniting Church, SA Council of Churches, Asbestos Victims Association, Asbestos Diseases Society of SA and Voice of Industrial Death (VOID).

The non-denominational service will be held at 3pm at the Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide, and is hosted by VOID (Voice of Industrial Death). The service will feature a candle-lighting ceremony and the symbolic release of doves.

Anyone affected by a work-related death or significant trauma is welcome to attend the service and to contribute a personal item or photograph for the memorial display.