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WCB penalties undervalue worker’s lives, provide no deterrence
February 5, 2009
Fines must be higher, with jail time if fines not paid
The 2008 Penalty Report released today by the Workers Compensation Board (WCB) shows fines levied against employers which are much too low to provide the deterrence that would keep workers safe.
"The message is clear: workers lives are cheap," says Jim Sinclair, President of the B.C. Federation of Labour. "In most cases, these fatalities and injuries were entirely avoidable had the companies provided training and equipment and complied with safety regulations."
The largest fine, $150,000, was levied against Encana Corporation which reported a third quarter cash flow of $2.8 US billion in 2008.
"WCB can levy fines of up to $519,000 but their fines have never come close to that amount," Sinclair added. "In order to protect workers these fines have to be a real deterrent, not a minor line item that is barely noticed by employers."
The Federation is particularly concerned with the $69,800.60 fine charged against RHA Enterprises Ltd. following a vehicle crash that killed three farmworkers and injured 13 other passengers in 2007. The van was overloaded, had inadequate seatbelts and was dangerously driven by a co-owner of the company who did not have the proper driving licence.
The owners of RHA Enterprises have already filed for bankruptcy and the business has ceased operating. "WCB needs to ensure that the owners of RHA pay this fine. If not, they need to be prosecuted and sent to jail," Sinclair added.
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For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communications (604) 430-1421.
