Steps for Life walk remembers workplace accident victims

Small signs with photos and stories of people killed or injured on the job dotted a path in Point Pleasant Park in Halifax on Saturday.

They served as sombre reminders forloved ones in the Maritimes who walked to raise awareness,in the hopethat no one else has to follow in their footsteps.

Estella Hickey is one of about 200 people who participated in the Steps for Lifewalk, now in its seventh year.Her son Kyle, 22, died in a fiery explosion at O'Regan's auto shop in Dartmouth seven years ago.

"I think Kyle would be really honoured to know that we go out and tell his storyand work so that other people don't have to be involved in accidents. I think he'd be very honoured," she said.

The walk brought in about $19,000 for Threads for Life, an organization that supports families affected by workplace incidents that cause death, injury or sickness.Hickey collected $700 in his memory.

"So, it's very personal for us," she said. "We walk, we want to promote workplace safety so there's no other families having to go through what we go through."

The event closesa week of remembrance for families of workers. Last Tuesday was the national day of mourningfor workers and May1is International Workers' Day.

So far this year in Nova Scotia, 7 people have died in workplace-related incidents.

Steps for Life walks are taking place aroundthe country this weekend. Maritime walks are also happening in Sydney, Saint John, Charlottetownand in Windsor, Nova Scotia.