WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 09, 2008

The Bentall Centre Construction Tragedy - January 7, 1981 B.C. is about to enter yet another record-breaking year for construction. We are in the midst of a $50 billion boom in the construction industry. However, in the rush to meet completion dates and budget projections, we must never forget about the safety of workers. A tragic accident occurred on January 7, 1981. Four carpenters plunged thirty-six floors to their deaths when a fly form, used for pouring concrete, broke away from the top of Bentall Centre’s Tower IV. We are here to honour the four construction workers who lost their lives in that tragedy and to pay respect to their families. Today, we have with us: Carol Davis, wife of Donald Davis with their daughter Tracy and her two children Jessica and Andrew. Michael and John Davis and their families send their regrets as they could not attend today. Joyce Stevenson, wife of Brian Stevenson and Brian’s brother Bruce’s with his wife Dianne. As well, Hilkka Mitrunen, wife of Yrjo Mitrunen, and their son Peter are here today as well. Let us now honour the four workers who fell on this fateful day in 1981. READ NAMES AND PLACE WHITE HARD HATS Gunther Couvreux (49) Donald W. Davis (34) Yrjo Mitrunen (46) Brian Stevenson (21) The inquest jury that looked at the Bentall Disaster made 12 recommendations to reduce the likelihood of a similar fly form accident from ever happening again. One of those recommendations called on the Ministry of Labour to hold an inquiry to investigate safety practices in the B.C. construction industry. The Construction Industry Advisory Council was formed to address the safety issues identified by the inquest jury and to help ensure that the construction industry would cooperate. Nonetheless, the construction industry has tolerated an average of 25 deaths a year since the Bentall Centre accident and an average of 35 deaths per year for the last 5 years. There were 38 deaths in the construction sector reported in the 2006 WorkSafe BC Annual Report. Statistics for 2007 are not available. As I speak, we are placing BLACK HARD HATS for each of the construction workers lost in 2006. Under the current Provincial administration, WorkSafe BC has undergone tremendous restructuring. Among the changes, occupational health and safety regulations were cut as unnecessary red tape and performance-based regulations replaced specific prescriptive regulations. However I do want to commend the recent Board at WorkSafe BC for some recent actions they have taken to review those decisions and to provide a safer workplace for construction workers. This last year has seen the introduction of the Construction Compliance Plan/High Risk Strategy which is increasing onsite inspections with the employment of more inspectors. The Board has also introduced regulations for Young and New Worker Orientation and Training. Between 1996 and 2005, 194 lives were lost in the Forestry Sector. The resulting media attention and public concern resulted in a full review and cooperation with government, business and labour organizations. Between 1996 and 2005, 307 deaths occurred in the BC Construction Sector, 38 in 2006. Of the 38 deaths reported in 2006, more than 50% were related to asbestos exposure indicating a tragic trend not just in BC, but across Canada yet the Canadian government continues to support the mining and export of asbestos. It remains abundantly clear that the future of workers’ safety rests with: • stronger government regulation, not weaker • increased monitoring and inspection • employers’ commitment to safe workplaces • and workers looking after their fellow workers. To this end, WorkSafe BC supported the BC Building Trades with a grant in 2006 to research innovative methods of engendering a stronger safety culture among workers in the construction industry. To honour those men who died on January 7, 1981, and the families who struggle to live with only their memory, we, who gather here from labour, industry and government, hereby reconfirm our commitment to reducing injuries and eliminating deaths from trauma and exposures to toxic substances in the construction industry. Please pause for a moment of silence.

For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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