Unions stepped up demands for improvements to health and safety at work amid claims that the UK is facing an "epidemic" of occupational ill health.
A series of events will be held across the country to mark Workers Memorial Day, including a demonstration by the GMB outside Parliament to highlight the "growing problem" of attacks on minicab drivers.
The GMB is pressing for cctv cameras and protective shields to be installed in minicabs following 49 violent attacks in the first three months of the year.
London minicab driver Zia Ahmed will tell MPs about an attack he suffered at the hands of a passenger.
The TUC published a new guide to occupational health for union reps, which states that 175 million working days were lost as a result of sickness absence last year, costing firms £650 per sick worker.
General secretary Brendan Barber said: "Workplaces where there are union safety reps tend to be both safer and healthier places, but the UK is currently facing an epidemic of occupational ill health.
"Many people are ill and in pain as a result of lifting injuries, slips and trips, stress and noise-induced hearing loss suffered either at, or caused by, their work.
"Using this workbook, union reps can learn about all the aspects of occupational health. Then they can use it to encourage their employers to do much more to make employees feel they are getting a decent level of support from work when they are ill and again when they are on the road towards a full recovery."
The construction workers' union Ucatt will hold memorial events to honour the 69 building workers killed last year.
General secretary Alan Ritchie said: "Far too many workers are needlessly killed every year. Both construction bosses and the authorities need to do far more to reduce this death toll."