The recent death of a young Innisfail worker at a gravel pit near Drumheller reminds us that our words must be followed with meaningful actions.
We often say that an injury to one is an injury to all. And we always say that everyone who goes to work in the morning should expect to go back home to their family at the end of their shift.
But the tragic accident that claimed the life of Chris Lawrence reminds us as a province that we still have so much work to do to make our words more than just that.
There are so many troubling questions arising specifically from the accident that took place at the Arjon Construction gravel pit on July 19 where Lawrence had his life taken on the job, and we hope these specific questions surrounding the circumstance of this particular accident are addressed by the Occupational Health and Safety investigation.
But there are also the broader issues of employment standards that government must address—issues that should have been addressed years ago. At the least, we need to see the Alberta government set the highest of standards when it comes to training for young workers in construction, mining, and other comparably high-risk workplaces. Government must also ensure that companies are subject to targeted and random inspections on site so that we can prevent accidents, instead of having to react to them. Finally, and this is crucial, workplaces need to have joint employer-employee safety committees, so that workers and employers can work together to promote safer workplaces.
In March of this year, former Labour Minister and current PC Leadership candidate Thomas Lukaszuk had the opportunity to begin making the changes I just outlined. He called for a “comprehensive” employment standards review. Yet, after calling for submissions from individuals and organizations, he delivered nothing. Our organization, the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), didn't even receive a stock letter thanking us for our submission, which suggested the changes outlined above. Lukaszuk set peoples' hopes on positive changes to the standards we can expect at work, but it turned out to be a missed opportunity for meaningful change.
The scary truth is that Alberta remains one of the most dangerous places in Canada to work.
Research shows that 15-17-year-olds continue to be particularly vulnerable to abuses in the workplace: illegal deductions, unsafe work, intimidation, handling of hazardous materials, and harassment are all too common realities for young workers.
We think it's time to take a good hard look in the mirror. Is this the type of workplace culture we want in Alberta? Is this the type of workplace culture our kids should expect?
I don't think so. It's time for government to put some action behind its words and good intentions when it comes to employment standards in Alberta.
Ultimately, the recent death of this young worker is a tragic reminder that more needs to be done to create safe work places. We will continue to advocate for safer work places, and we will continue to pressure government to listen to Albertans who want to make sure their loved ones come home safe every day.
Siobhan Vipond is the secretary-treasurer for the Alberta Federation of Labour.
