Labor Day 2024: Statement by NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D.

Each Labor Day we honor workers and the role they play in building a strong and prosperous nation. Much like the first Labor Day more than a century ago, many of us mark this federal holiday with festivities such as parades or picnics. This year, as you head out to celebrate the end of summer with friends and loved ones, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on the contributions of the workers all around us.

To demonstrate that workers are the backbone of our society, our economy, and even our Labor Day celebrations, we’re highlighting how workers make our Labor Day celebrations possible along with some of NIOSH’s work to protect the safety and health of these workers.

As you celebrate this Labor Day thank a worker.

• The roads we travel to get to our holiday destinations are built and maintained by road and construction workers. Our oil and gas workers make our travel possible. If you are flying to your destination you will encounter airline workers and don’t forget the baggage handlers.
• You might get your hair or nails done or go shopping before your party.
• Landscape workers ready our lawns, golf courses, and public outdoor spaces for our celebrations.
• Our barbeques are full of the bounty provided by the nation’s farmers and agriculture workers as well as those working in meatpacking, commercial fishing, seafood processing and other food service/manufacturing Truck drivers bring the food products from the farms and our grocery workers and other retail workers ensure we have access to food and supplies.
• Not barbequing? You might use gig workers to deliver your food or drive you to a restaurant.
• Our swimwear and SPF clothing are produced by garment workers and those who develop new fabric coatings using nanomaterials.
• If you are on the water, you may encounter lifeguards or the sheriff’s water patrol unit.
• Should a vigorous game of volleyball or pickleball land you in the emergency room, healthcare workers are there to provide excellent care. Our emergency medical services , police officers, and fire fighters are on stand-by should anything go wrong.
• You will encounter many workers if your festivities include going to a sporting event like stock car racing or attending a concert.
• Finally, if your evening ends with fireworks, don’t forget the workers who make and set off the displays.

In addition to the NIOSH research linked above, these workers may face many hazards including heat stress, falls, motor vehicle incidents, musculoskeletal injuries, noise, reproductive hazards, chemical hazards, substance use, mental health issues, and violence – all areas where NIOSH has strong research and prevention efforts.

Workers are essential to our country’s success and that is why we celebrate them every year on Labor Day. Today, NIOSH not only celebrates workers, but we also recommit to our mission to develop occupational safety and health knowledge. We use that knowledge to keep all workers safe and healthy every day of the year. Read more on our website and follow us on social media.

Thank you to American workers for all they do each and every day!