Workplace safety will be the topic of discussion at a panel event in Kimberley on Thursday, April 28.

The East Kootenay and District Labour Council has convened five experts on occupational health and safety to answer questions at its 2011 Day of Mourning event.

"We started thinking about how we can give people a voice in the process," said Jackie Spain of the East Kootenay and District Labour Council. "Rather than having speakers, how could they be speaking? So we came up with the idea of a panel discussion."

The Day of Mourning is an annual event started by Worksafe B.C. to commemorate people who have been injured or lost their lives on the job.

It's particular poignant in Kimberley and Cranbrook on the fifth anniversary of the Sullivan Mine tragedy.

On May 17, 2006, two workers at the mine and two paramedics died after walking into a water sampling station with a lack of oxygen.

George Weitzel's wife, Kim, was one of the paramedics who lost their lives that day, and since then he has become an advocate for workplace safety.

He'll be on the panel on April 28, along with Jim Sinclair, president of the BC Federation of Labour, Bronwyn Barter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and two WorkSafe officers.

"We've got a really great line-up. You've got some pretty high powered experts in the room," said Spain.

Workers are invited to submit questions for the panel ahead of time by emailing ekdlc@telus.net, or bring them to ask at the event. Spain will moderate the discussion.

"These people will just be straight up and honest. They are all good folks, they're all involved in health and safety," she said.

School students are invited to the event.

"They can ask these experts what they would like to ask them about staying safe in the workplace," said Spain. "It's a great opportunity for young people to come and have some discussion as well."

Spain added that she hopes the hall will be full with people eager to learn more about workplace safety.

The event will be held at Centennial Hall in Kimberley at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 28.