Doug Hoke has the perfect story to tell this weekend.

The York County Commissioner recalls a workplace accident suffered by his grandfather, who was born in 1894.

For 31 years, his grandfather worked at the former American Chain & Cable Co. on East Princess Street as a welder. One day a piece of metal struck his eye, and he traveled to Philadelphia for treatment. His vision was impaired for the rest of his life.

"That may not have happened if he had safety goggles on," Hoke said.

He pointed out the accident happened before the Occupational and Safety Health Act took effect on April 28, 1971.

The York-Adams Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, hosts a Workers' Memorial Day Observance every year on that day, and Saturday Hoke will share that story at the event.

He will also acknowledge and remember the three York County workers who were killed in traumatic workplace accidents in 2011.

The overarching theme of the event is always the same, said Alan Vandersloot, community services liaison and director of labor participation for the AFL-CIO.

A "military-like service" will remember the workers and encourage the public to support legislative and regulatory efforts to improve strong safety and health protections in the workplace, he said.

"Most unions say we need stricter OSHA laws,"

he said.

Rick Bloomingdale, president of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, will also speak to the day's theme, "Safe jobs save lives."

The one-hour event, which is open to the public, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at Kiwanis Lake, located at the intersection of Parkway Boulevard and North Newberry Street in York.

For more information, call 771-3806.

-- Reach Candy Wood all at 505-5437 or cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.