CANADA British Columbia to Inquire into 2008 Farm Worker Deaths

The British Columbia Federation of Labour (BCFL) is calling for a full public inquiry and coroner’s inquest into a deadly workplace accident in 2008 that claimed the lives of three farm workers and injured three others a year ago at a local mushroom facility.

The accident happen to a group of workers attempting to repair an electric motor powered a pump system in a confined area of the farm when a flange from the system became disconnected. Some workers were overcome by toxic gas in the oxygen-deficient pump house as workers who tried to come to their aid.

“I’m hoping there’s a full investigation, not just what chemicals killed them and why they died, but a full investigation of how they got there in the first place,” BCFL president Jim Sinclair said. “Three people died in a place they shouldn’t have been – in close containment.”

Sinclair said two of the three surviving workers were “seriously, seriously injured” in the incident. Family members of the deceased and injured workers were on hand for the press conference, and one of the severely injured workers was also present. “[He] was taken to intensive care as we were having the press conference because he stopped breathing,” Sinclair said. “He’s still not really conscious,” Sinclair noted, adding that even before the recent episode, the worker suffered brain damage and could not hear or talk.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing, including the identity of the toxic gas in question, according to WorkSafeBC spokeswoman Donna Freeman. (It was initially believed to be hydrogen sulphide.) The BCFL has questioned the length of time of the investigation, saying family members of the workers are anxious for answers. (workersxzcompxzkit)

“A full year after the incident, the Workers’ Compensation Board has still not completed its investigation, a coroner’s inquest has not been called, and no charges have been laid,” the BCFL added in a statement. Freeman says the investigation is complicated, noting that 25 investigators have worked on the case over the course of the investigation. Furthermore, hazardous waste remained at the accident site for six or seven months afterwards, Freeman noted, due to complexities in removing it safely for workers and disposal/transportation issues.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-786-8286.

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