AB government cracks down on high rise construction
Posted Oct 8, 2010 1:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province announced Friday it’s increasing inspections for buildings being worked on that are five stories or taller.
Its in a move to improve workplace safety and safety for the public
“I strongly recommend that employers and workers on commercial construction sites ensure they fully understand occupational health and safety law and apply it where they work,” said Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration, responsible for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). “Those who don’t should know that my officers are en route and I have instructed them not to hesitate to shut an operation down if workers’ lives are at risk.”
The Alberta government has hired ten more Occupational Health and Safety Officers and the push will keep going until the end of the month.
The action comes as a result of the death of three-year-old Michelle Kresk, who was killed last year by a piece of falling construction debris in downtown Calgary.
“It’s no surprise that highrise safety infractions, including falling hazards and loose construction material are a concern, not only to Alberta’s workers, but also to pedestrians,” said Lukaszuk, who promises to release the results of this campaign later this year. “While a strong majority of employers respect the law and care for the well-being of their workers, it only takes one incident to change lives forever – and it simply has to stop.”
