(ABC 6 News) – On Monday, as part of Worker Memorial Day, the Minnesota Department of Transportation honored those who lost their lives while on the job.

A ceremony was held at the MnDOT Rochester Maintenance Facility for the workers and contractors who were killed, working to improve the state’s infrastructure. The event is held annually for the in honor of the 36 MnDOT employees and 16 contractors who lost their lives while working on Minnesota highways since 1960.

“This is a very eye-opening event it allows us to actually see that damages and accidents do occur and even though all the safety precautions we have still a possibility of happening,” said Kim Swanson, transportation operations supervisor, MnDOT.

Seven district workers who lost their lives in the southeast Minnesota region were recognized, including Grayston Cain who was struck by a truck in August of 1980. The family now receiving a high visibility vest with their father’s name on it.

“We appreciate that you are making the time to remember our dad, husband and grandfather as well as the others who lost their lives while working our hope is that every person who acknowledges this day will have something that sticks with them for the rest of their lives,” said Allison Deraad, daughter of Grayston Cain.

A permanent memorial located in the lobby of the Transportation Building at 395 John Ireland Blvd. in Saint Paul. It is open to the public on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The touch screen kiosk provides visitors with information on the history of the memorial, a listing of those killed and recognition of memorial construction donors.