North Central Labour Council president Aaron Ekman spoke against changes to regulations covering highways workers and gas station attendants during a WorkSafeBC hearing in Prince George on Tuesday.
Specifically, Ekman labelled as unsafe a proposal to allow mobile equipment to travel at 15 kilometres per hour, up from the current 10 km/h, traveling both forward and backward and raised concerns about allowing workers to pick up traffic cones from mobile equipment.
Even with an audible warning signal while backing up, Ekman said that's too fast because the driver must rely on mirrors and looking back to guide the machine.
"The worker on a mounted platform at the rear of the vehicle is at an increased risk if the vehicle is backing up," Ekman said. "The driver may be unaware of the worker falling off the platform."
On the increased speed, Ekman asserted a worker can more easily jump off at 10 km/h than at 15 km/h if there is a threat of an accident and the increased speed puts workers on the site at a greater risk.
The proposed regulation states the method for picking up cones can be used only in closed areas and only after the employer has identified and dealt with any hazards.
Ekman also advised against a proposal to allow gas station and convenience store employees to work alone overnight provided the employer implements a so-called violence prevention program.
The program would include mandatory safety measures such as providing employees with a panic button that is monitored either by a security company or the employer, installing a time lock safe, and requiring monitored video surveillance.
Employers do have the option of installing installing a barrier that would separate employees from the public as an alternative to hiring a second employee. Ekman maintained the extra cost of a minimum wage worker is negligible and should be in addition to the violence prevention program not a replacement.
Ekman was the only person registered to make a presentation when the review panel was in Prince George. Written submissions on the proposed changes are being accepted until June 3.
More information can be found at worksafebc.com. Click on public hearings on the main page.
