RUMFORD — Twenty people gathered Sunday at the United Steelworkers Local 900 Union Hall for the first memorial ceremony to honor workers who have died due to workplace accidents, illness or disease.

Speakers included state Sen. John Patrick, D-Rumford, who spoke about the needless deaths that occur, and that no one should die trying to make a living, according to a Tuesday statement from Local 900.

State Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, applauded the efforts of Local 900 and said  she was proud to be invited to participate.

Don Berry, president of the Maine AFL-CIO, listed some of the occupations commonly associated with workplace deaths. He also spoke of the strides taken regarding safely working with asbestos and silica.

Scot Grassette, USW trustee and NewPage safety advocate, reminded everyone of how far labor has come in safe-work practices. But, he said, there is still much work to do the right things.

“Reporting unsafe conditions and refusing to do unsafe work is key in keeping ourselves safe on the job,” Grassette said.

USW President Ron Hemmingway closed the ceremony by reading aloud 21 names of Maine residents who died in 2012 from the workplace, followed by the ringing of a bell.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout, considering they only had a brief time to promote the event, Grassette said. They hope to have a larger crowd next year for the initiation of Maine’s first physical memorial to honor workers who have died and the families, friends and co-workers they left behind.

The memorial will use a giant gear that used to turn a part of No. 11 paper machine in the Rumford mill. It will be stood up and mounted in cement, and will be completed by attaching a 14-inch bronze plaque to the hub of the gear.

“Next year, we will have the memorial completed and possibly have live music and a luncheon for the event,” Grassette said.

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