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Widespread safety violations underline need for safety crackdown says B.C. Federation of Labour
July 17, 2006
Safety violations like those that led to the death of Grant Depatie, are widespread and underline the need for safety crackdown, says B.C. Federation of Labour Secretary Treasurer, Angela Schira, after findings released today by WorkSafeBC.
After pressure from the B.C. Federation of Labour, WorkSafeBC agreed to step up safety inspections of BC gas stations, conducting 366 inspections in the last three months. According to WorkSafeBC this pressure "has resulted in virtually every inspection documenting violations and issuing orders."
"These findings confirm what we have been saying all along," said Schira. "Gas station workers are at risk and gas companies are not following the laws in place to protect these workers."
"Not only do employers have a legal responsibility to provide safe workplaces, WorkSafeBC has a legal responsibility to enforce the rules," Schira stated. "When every inspection shows there's a problem, education alone isn't enough. There needs to be a crackdown, and gas stations not complying, should be shut down."
The B.C. Federation of Labour has been lobbying the provincial government and WorkSafeBC to toughen up rules to protect workers working alone in gas stations, convenience stores and other late-night retail occupations.
The Vancouver Police Department recently issued a warning to workers working alone after a spate of convenience store robberies. Kelowna RCMP also announced they will be approaching their City Council to request a by-law requiring gas stations to have a "pay before you pump" policy.
