Judge lambastes defunct companies as ‘third world,’ while family members call them ‘cowardly’ The family of a trucker who was killed when a 15-metre-high wall of dirt and rock collapsed on him four years ago hopes a record $2.4 million fine under the Occupational Health and Safety Act sends a strong message to the construction … Continue reading
She remembers the date well. On June 24, 2009, just before the afternoon coffee-break, Tarra Turner suffered a life-changing injury when the scaffold she was on fell about three metres. “I didn’t even have time to know what happened. I remember laying on my back in the sawdust, twisted, waiting for the ambulance to get … Continue reading
Although former premier Gordon Campbell disagrees with a WorkSafeBC ruling concerning the death of a roofer at his vacation home, he said Tuesday he will not appeal it. Now Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, Campbell said he’s more worried about the family of David Lesko, the roofer who died after falling through an … Continue reading
Longtime Whistler hotel maintenance worker and Squamish resident Roberto Suarez died on Saturday (Dec. 17) after falling from a ladder while working at the Westin Resort and Spa. Suarez, 42, who leaves behind a wife and children aged 12 and 9, was working in one of the hotel rooms at about 10 a.m. when he … Continue reading
Video Below Too often we see fines doled out to companies for safety violations. Even in companies with proper training and gear readily provided and easily accessible this happens. The reason usually comes down to individual choice of a worker to cut a few corners. Nothing will happen now. We secretly pray something unconsciously and … Continue reading
The BC Coroners Service has announced it will hold a public inquest into the deaths of three workers who died on a mushroom farm in Langley in September 2008. Ut Tran aged 35, Han Pham aged 47 and Chi Wai (Jimmy) Chan aged 55 all died within moments of entering a pump shed where toxic … Continue reading
Two Quebec workers remain in hospital one week after suffering severe burn injuries after coming into contact with a cleaning solution at a brewery in Montreal. On November 29, just before midnight, the two Molson Coors operations employees came into contact with “an extremely hot cleaning solution” used industry-wide to wash and sterilize beer bottles, … Continue reading
Eyewash stations and emergency showers in the workplace are an absolute necessity, and justifiable expense. A recent event at a Molson Brewery shows how important these emergency showers were. These two mature males, sprayed with acid, were already dousing themselves in the emergency showers by the time emergency crews arrived. Even with such immediate access, … Continue reading