Justice under a hardhat

Times Contributor     

 

Until recently, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) had little teeth in its powers of authority, but OHS Officer Ryan Schur said things are changing, which means workplaces will be monitored to ensure worker safe environments.

“Workers had concerns, but there were no regulations for enforcement. I am very happy the new minister is now behind us 100 per cent,” said Schur.

Schur said the department has authorization to double its investigative staff. New regulations give the inspectors the authority to shut down workplaces, ticket workers and employers, and lay fines and charges for unsafe workplaces. First offences for employers can mean $500,000 fines or six months in jail, second offences up to $1,000,000 or a year in jail. One employer in Quebec received a sentence of 10 years. Charges of criminal negligence causing death can also be laid.

Schur said there are still many challenges to overcome. 

Some employers, like a development company who was charged in 2012 under an OHS investigation, escape consequences of their actions by declaring bankruptcy.

The Calgary Herald reported the judge had awarded a $2.4 million dollar judgment against the company, as a message to other contractors that cutting corners at the expense of worker safety was not to be tolerated. 

In this case, a 15 meter wall collapsed killing truck driver Randy Williams. D. Slade reported the developer did not even show for the family’s victim statement. He quoted Williams wife as saying,

“They were here to give witness (evidence), but they weren’t here to listen to our story, the story that told of Randy’s life, that horrible day sitting at home waiting for him to show up and trying to contact him on his cell phone, then overhearing my son Matthew’s horrific cell phone conversations, me asking to find out where his father was, to hear that comment being screamed out in agony and pain, ‘what do you mean a wall fell on him and you’re sorry?’ “

Her son Ryan, who worked with his father but was not present where the incident occurred, called the companies’ absence from the proceedings “cowardly.”

Schur said the company has subsequently opened up a new company and is currently operating a new business.

Schur said accidents have tremendous impacts on family members lives. They are hoping to change minds and attitudes towards responsibility for health and safety in workplace environments. Employer safety ratings are posted on the OHS website, as information for potential workers and as an incentive for employers to ensure healthy and safe environments.

For more information on OHS and it’s programs see: www.work.alberta.ca/occupational-health-safety.html or contact 1-866-415-8690.