NEWS

Occupational Health and Safety (April 28, 2011)

Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday we learned of yet another serious Calgary incident of falling work debris. Fortunately, no workers or the general public were injured. 

This is in a long series of construction safety incidents that have plagued Alberta. To the minister of Employment and Immigration: government efforts to increase awareness and improve job safety aren’t working; why not?

Mr. Lukaszuk: It would be very presumptive of the member to say that they are not working. As the member knows, just a few months ago I had ordered a concentrated review and inspection of commercial construction sites, particularly in Calgary relevant to falling objects from construction sites. I have used some very strong language describing the outcome of that particular inspection. As you know, Mr. Speaker, we have enhanced enforcement, and we’ll continue to do so. At this particular site we are investigating right now, if there is any culpability on behalf of either workers or the employer, we will deal with those proprietors or the workers accordingly.

Ms Pastoor: These at this point in time appear to be short term. It’s increased work-site safety inspections, that we saw earlier this year, but it still failed to achieve a long-term change in poor practices at commercial construction sites. I’m looking for outcomes. How do you evaluate good outcomes?

Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, the member says that my recent actions have failed to achieve long-term goals. Well, how do we know what the long-term outcomes will be? Let’s get there first, and then we can assess it. I can tell you that whatever it is that I’m doing, I’m doing it with the best intentions.

I have to tell you that we have the full co-operation of Alberta employers, Alberta organized labourers, and all industry safety associations. We’re all in the same boat. All we want to do, Mr. Speaker, is make sure that the culture in the province changes, that it improves, and that it is unacceptable for anyone to either be provided with a place of employment or to create a place of employment that’s dangerous to themselves or their co-workers.

The Deputy Speaker: The hon. member.

Ms Pastoor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Is the minister making a commitment to increase the overall number of work-site safety inspections in Alberta? These short-term safety blitzes, again, are not having the desired outcomes.

Mr. Lukaszuk: Well, Mr. Speaker, I respect the fact that this member is sincerely concerned about occupational health and safety, but she mustn’t have paid attention. Over the last few months I have more than doubled the number of safety inspectors, by 52 per cent, within this and the next budget year. In addition to our regular inspections of all work sites in Alberta, for example, we’re now completing inspections of forklifts. We’re starting with young and inexperienced workers, probably next month. After that, we will be spotlighting the residential construction industry. We have increased both inspections and the number of occupational health and safety officers.

Alberta Hansard, April 28, 2011