I just wanted to offer some clarifications to your July 24 article "Macatee report lacking."
During my extensive consultation with leaders from organized labour and industry, both here in B.C. and in other jurisdictions around the world, there was agreement that the current WorkSafeBC model is generally working well and is viewed as superior to other models. That is why I recommended no changes to the fundamental structure of WorkSafeBC at this time.
Still, there is a great deal of room for improvement, which was the subject of my 43 recommendations. Most of those recommendations focus on revamping the inspection and investigation functions at WorkSafeBC.
The recommendations aim to ensure the likelihood of successful prosecutions and include steps like improved communications, major case management, and a model with two distinct units for investigations. They will provide inspectors with important new tools to ensure compliance with health and safety practices in the workplace. They will speed up the processes for sanctions and reviews, and ensure that poor operators can be dealt with firmly and effectively, and hopefully before tragic incidents occur.
As directed by the government, I am developing an implementation plan for all 43 recommendations to build a world-class inspections and investigations regime at WorkSafeBC.
Gordon Macatee
Special advisor, WorkSafeBC
