It happened 128 years ago but the Bulli community continues to remember those who lost their lives in the second worst industrial disaster in Australia's history.

On Monday the Black Diamond Heritage Centre of Bulli will commemorate the Bulli Mine Disaster of March 23, 1887, when 81 men and boys died.

The explosion in the Hill End section of the Old Bulli Colliery was only surpassed by the Mount Kembla mine disaster of 1902, which killed 96.

Black Diamond Heritage Centre president Kerrie Anne Christian said it was important to remember those who were lost in 1887.

"To honour those lost and the hardship that their families and this community suffered in the years following 1887, we need also to support those advocating for safer working conditions for workers".

The commemoration starts at 1.30pm at the Mine Disaster Memorial in Park Road, Bulli, between the Railway Bridge and St Augustine's Bulli.