Union sues, wants criminal charges in death of worker • Criminal charges filed in worker’s death • B.C. responds to coroner’s inquest following fatal crash • Manitoba hires more workplace safety inspectors • Inspections up, injuries down in New Brunswick
New Westminster, B.C. — The United Steelworkers union is attempting to bring a private criminal prosecution against sawmill owner Weyerhaeuser in relation to the death of a worker. On Nov. 17, 2004 — eight months after Bill C-45, the “corporate killing law,” came into effect — Lyle Hewer was killed when he tried to clear a jam in a hopper full of wood debris. In an interview with the Vancouver Sun, union officials said they were shocked the Crown didn’t lay criminal charges even though police recommended charges under C-45. Private prosecutions are rare, but if successful it could inspire similar actions. The case will go before a provincial court judge who will decide if there is enough evidence to support a criminal negligence charge. But the Crown still has discretion about whether or not to proceed after that.
Criminal charges filed in worker’s death
Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. — Police have laid criminal charges in relation to the death of a worker killed on the job in 2009. Millennium Crane Rentals, its owner David Selvers and a crane operator were charged with criminal negligence causing death after James Vecchio, a worker for the City of Sault Ste. Marie, was killed when a crane collapsed into an excavated hole. This is only the third time criminal charges have been laid in relation to a worker’s death since Bill C-45, the “corporate killing law,” came into force in 2004.
B.C. responds to coroner’s inquest following fatal crash
Victoria — British Columbia is taking steps to improve farm safety in the wake of a traffic accident that killed three farm workers in 2007. A coroner’s inquest made 18 recommendations following the deaths. The province has made legislative amendments to improve the safety of passengers in large vans, created a committee to bring together the province, WorkSafeBC and the RCMP to take an integrated approach to farm safety and increased outreach, particularly in the South Asian community, to advise workers and employers of rights and responsibilities. To see the government’s response to all 18 recommendations, visit www.safety-reporter.com.
Manitoba hires more workplace safety inspectors
Winnipeg — Manitoba is hiring five more health and safety officers in an effort to reduce workplace injuries. Labour Minister Jennifer Howard said the province will now have 74 officers, and it plans to increase inspection of high-risk industries and workplaces that employ new, young and immigrant workers. The officers will conduct about 10,000 inspections a year, up significantly from 1999 when 1,600 inspections were done a year.
Inspections up, injuries down in New Brunswick
Fredericton — In 2009, health and safety officers in New Brunswick conducted 32 per cent more inspections and wrote 43 per cent more orders, according to WorkSafeNB’s annual report. Injuries also declined in 2009, down by almost five per cent from 2008. It also reported a surplus of $129.2 million following two years of operating deficits.
