Workers need better protection, hearing told
Vancouver Island News Group, Thursday February 1, 2007

Page: 0006
Section: Nanaimo News Bulletin - News
Byline:

Proposed WorkSafeBC regulation changes do not go far enough to protect workers, said those attending a public hearing Monday in Nanaimo.

New safety measures for late night gas station workers, the orientation and training of young or new workers, and safety engineered devices for medical sharps are the parts of the regulation affected by proposed changes.

Workers think the new measures are still not enough.

"Employers take advantage of employees in these conditions," said Robert Smits, of Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council, when speaking of late night gas station attendants. The new regulations call for pre-payment at gas bars late at night and early in the morning.

Smits is calling for regular inspections done at the time workers are left alone, giving all employees working alone access to a panic button, a large fine for employers who deduct thefts from employees' paycheques, and orientation and training for new workers before they are allowed to work.

Jennifer Collison, a facilitator for the B.C. Federation of Labour, surveyed late night workers on their working conditions.

"What I found out from the gas station attendants was amazing," said Collison, adding one worker she talked to said his gas bar had a camera that doesn't record, a safety manual that holds up a shelf in the store and a panic button he was unsure was hooked up.

"We're not protecting our youth, we're not protecting our workers," she said.

Doug De Patie, the father of Grant De Patie, the young gas station attendant dragged to his death in 2005 while trying to stop someone from stealing gas, came from Maple Ridge to speak at the hearing.

"[Owners of gas stations] have lived on the backs of workers for long enough," he said, adding while it will cost gas stations about $30,000 to install the new pumps with a pre-payment system, it is time for them to "buck up".

Safety around medical sharps such as needles was also a major issue.

Jo Taylor, a Nanaimo emergency room nurse, said nurses, as the front line workers, should be choosing the safety devices for medical sharps they work with, and the devices are needed immediately.

"The loss of the worker due to the stress and the illness can be very expensive," said Taylor.

Sherry White, Hospital Employees' Union representative, agreed that better safety devices, picked by nursing staff, are needed.

"What we're asking for is the best possible device," said White. "We deal with people who are anxious and excited, who may move at any second."

A report will now be drafted summarizing the results of the hearings, given to the board for WorkSafeBC to consider when they vote on the proposed changes to regulations.

reporter@nanaimobulletin.com

Copyright 2007 Nanaimo News Bulletin

Edition:
Length: 455 words