Meant to enshrine protocol for investigating mine-site fatalities
The B.C. Ministry of Energy and Mines has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the province's police agencies
enshrining a protocol for the investigation of mine-site fatalities and bodily
harm, according to the United Steelworkers (USW), which had lobbied for
enforcement of the Westray Law in cases of employer negligence causing
workplace deaths.
The memorandum said its purpose is to
"ensure the investigation of any work-related death or bodily harm is
conducted in a thorough, timely and effective manner with a view to the broader
public as reflected in the respective legislative mandates of the
participants."
"Our union's first
priority is to ensure the health and safety of all workers, but if tragedy
strikes, we also want to ensure that employers are held accountable,” said USW
District 3 director Stephen
Hunt.
“There are far too many examples of
workers dying and employers getting off the hook. Through this MOU with police
agencies, a clear message is being sent to mining companies that if they are
negligent in a case of workplace death, they will be criminally investigated
and held accountable.”
