Earlier this week, Sen. Steve Conway, D-South Tacoma, spoke at Western State Hospital about the importance of supporting our state’s public employees. The speaking engagement coincided with the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries’ Worker Memorial Day ceremony that occurs each spring to honor those who have died in the previous year from job-related injuries or illnesses.

Western State Hospital is one of the most dangerous work sites in the state. The markers behind Sen. Conway in the photo above represent the more than 300 assaults that occurred this year to staff by patients at the hospital.