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Bill

AJR 158

Designates April 18 of each year as "Worker Safety Day."

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Dawn Fantasia and 1 co-sponsor

Designates April 18 as Worker Safety Day in New Jersey to raise awareness and encourage collaboration among employers, workers, and authorities on safer workplaces.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AJR 158

Summary of AJR 158 (Session 222) – New Jersey

Purpose

AJR 158 designates April 18 of each year as “Worker Safety Day” in New Jersey. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the importance of worker safety and to encourage collaboration among employers, workers, government agencies, and communities to maintain safe and healthy workplaces.

Key Provisions

  1. Designation of a day

    • April 18 of every year is officially designated as “Worker Safety Day” in New Jersey.

  2. Governor’s proclamation

    • The Governor is requested to issue an annual proclamation calling public officials and New Jersey citizens to observe Worker Safety Day with appropriate activities and programs.

  3. Effective date

    • The resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Background/Justification Included in the Bill

  • The resolution cites global and national statistics to underscore the importance of workplace safety:
    • Globally, more than 8,000 deaths per day from occupational accidents or diseases (approximately 2.93 million deaths per year) and about 395 million non-fatal work injuries annually.
    • In New Jersey, 81 fatal work injuries were recorded in 2023, with thousands of non-fatal injuries.
  • It discusses the mutual benefits of safe workplaces:
    • For workers: safer environment, reduced loss of life and income, better health outcomes.
    • For employers: improved productivity, lower workers’ compensation costs, higher morale, and better product/service quality.
  • The bill emphasizes public awareness and collaborative efforts among employers, workers, and government/community entities to promote safety.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: General public in New Jersey, including workers and employers.
  • Secondary: Government agencies and state officials, which would be urged to participate in observances and programs.

Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Referral history: Introduced and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee on March 10, 2026.
  • Sponsors: Primary sponsor listed with a co-sponsor (Carol Murphy).
  • Actions upon enactment: The resolution would go into effect immediately once enacted, and the Governor would issue annual proclamations thereafter.

Potential Impact

  • Increases public visibility and discourse around occupational safety.
  • Encourages engagement from employers, employees, and public authorities in safety initiatives.
  • Provides a formal annual date for safety programs, trainings, inspections, and awareness campaigns at the state and community levels.

Note

  • AJR 158 is a non-binding joint resolution (symbolic in nature) that seeks to recognize and promote worker safety rather than create new statutory requirements or obligations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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