The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George approved $473,550 in funding to purchase new shelters for caretakers operating six rural solid waste transfer stations throughout the district.
On Thursday, the board approved the purchase and installation of six ATCO trailer-style shelters at the Berman Lake, Chief Lake, Hixon, Shelley, West Lake and Willow River transfer stations.
The regional district operates 18 rural transfer stations, of which 14 are staffed. Of those, only six currently have all-weather shelters available for staff, according to a report presented to the board on Thursday.
“Seven (7) have no shelter or minimal makeshift campers and or personal vehicles for staff to take shelter in, and one site only has a caretaker on site for less than ten hours each week,” the report said.
An assessment done in 2019 found “...that the amenities provided by the contractors do not meet WorkSafe BC standards, if they are being supplied at all. There is no uniformity to the amenities, and most do not have electricity. With no standardized facility, there is little option for heat, air conditioning, lightening, and a proper shelter for attendants to complete routine paperwork and have a safe space from inclement weather.”
The new shelters will have electricity, heat and air conditioning to allow staff to get out of the weather to warm up or cool down. The installation of the shelters is expected to increase on-site safety and improving working conditions for contracted staff operating the facilities.
