Readers of the Burnaby NOW have been raising the alarm about workers at Trans Mountain’s tank farm not following physical distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic.
One look at the photo attached to this story shows workers getting too close.
But let’s not stop there.
The rest Burnaby’s construction industry is not exactly distinguishing itself right now.
I live on Burnaby Mountain in the UniverCity development and there are multiple projects under construction right now.
I have witnessed on my daily walks numerous instances of workers all clumped together and clearly not following the rules.
But don’t take my word for out.
I received an email from a Burnaby construction worker named Sean who expressed his concerns about workers not following safety protocols for COVID-19 and managers not cracking down.
Sean said some sites are trying, but not enough for what he sees.
“I'm sure you have had many emails regarding this, but I wanted to take a moment to give my two cents,” wrote Sean. “I work in construction and unfortunately the amount of social distance within our trades is extremely small and sometimes downright unacceptable during this period. When I am at work, I wear a full-on respirator and gloves. Most construction sites do work diligently to provide as much support as possible, be it hand sanitizer or limiting workers to a specific area, but sadly that's not always possible.”
This isn’t the only letter I’ve received about this. Many construction sites are visible from roads and sidewalks and people can clearly see workers ignoring the rules.
They put themselves at risk and others. It’s just another area in which there needs to be more focus put on safety.
Andrew Mercier, executive director of BC Building Trades Council, told Glacier Syndicated recently that he’d like to see more permanent enforcement of health and safety on sites.
“WorkSafeBC has strong regulations for sanitation. Those regulations haven’t been enforced,” he said. “If no one is sent to look at the site to ensure it’s adequate, it will be inadequate. Increased focus on sanitation and health and safety should not be temporary … And if there is a legacy, it should be on an increase to sanitation and health and safety on work sites.”
So if the government agency isn’t watching, I guess it’s up to building companies to be more diligent.
Someone has to do something.
- With files from Graeme Wood, Glacier Syndicated
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
