03) "WORKSAFE" NOT WORKING FOR B.C'S YOUNG WORKERS

(The following article is from the August 1-31, 2008, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

By Stephen Von Sychowski

In 2005, the Campbell Liberal government changed the working name of the Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia to "Worksafe BC", claiming that it was "a name that more accurately reflects our focus on prevention, customer service, and return to work." The move was largely rejected by labour and progressive movements, including the Communist Party and Young Communist League, as a ploy to place the bulk of responsibility and blame on the victims of workplace injury rather than on employers who provide insufficient or nonexistent training and unsafe or unsanitary conditions.

     The focus of the WCB's message to the workers of B.C. was clear "be careful at work, or it'll be your own fault". But one can only be careful within the conditions provided, which too often include speed ups, lack of training, and exposure to unnecessary risks. Workers are sometimes too afraid to exercise their right to refuse unsafe work, because this often leads to reprimand and even firing.

     Young workers have abnormally high levels of injury especially considering that, if anything, they should logically be the most healthy and agile. But the reality is that many employers see youth as nothing but cheap, dispensable labour for their low paying, non union, insecure and unsafe jobs. Young workers face intimidation and ageism from bosses who want to save a buck by cutting corners and bending rules.

     The number of young workers injured on the job in 2007 was up to 11,540 from 10,980 in 2006; part of an overall picture that saw 173,538 total reported injuries, up from 172,874 the year before and 156,770 in 2004, the year before WCB was re-named and re-programmed as "Worksafe" by the Liberals. Amongst these there were 228 fatalities, up from 223 in 2004.

     Yet almost 4,000 more health and safety inspections were carried out by the WCB, over 5,000 orders were written and almost three times as many penalties were imposed on employers all according to WCB's 2007 annual report. So, isn't "Worksafe" working?

     While these numbers are a positive improvement from the dismal ones of the year before, the numbers of injured workers prove that these activities have been ineffective.
     Some improvement should be seen with the enactment of legislation promoting safe workplaces. "Grant's Law" was won by the BC Federation of Labour and the De Patie family after a young worker, Grant De Patie, was killed on the job at the gas station where he worked. He was chasing a car which was attempting a "gas and go". His employer had illegally told him that if he did not stop "gas and go's" he would have to pay for them out of his own cheque.

     But unfortunately, laws like this are only one part of the solution. As always under capitalism, profits have been put before people. No more parents should have to live with the pain of their daughter or son being disabled or killed at work. No more workers and no more families should be crippled by workplace "accidents".

     With a provincial election around the corner, it's time for workers in B.C. to ask the parties vying for their support what they are prepared to do about this epidemic.

     A tough stance is needed to get results and ensure that there are no more Grant De Paties's in this province. This should include the introduction of further legislation similar to Grant's Law, protecting workers who work after dark or in isolated conditions in all sectors of the economy. It should include a WCB focused on prevention through training, education and strict enforcement of health and safety standards, not just putting the onus on workers and placing the blame on the victims. It should include stiffer penalties for employers who put their workers at risk, including more and higher fines, more inspections and financial, legal and criminal liability for injuries on worksites.

     It also means an end to "Worksafe" and a return to the WCB, programmed around creating and enforcing safe and healthy work environments, ensuring training is provided by employers and so on. It won't be popular with those in power. They will say it's radical, or impossible. But one has to wonder what those 228 workers who are no longer with us would say.