THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2003

VANCOUVER…Two Bills introduced in the legislature this week will enable shoddy construction of critical safety systems according to the chief spokesperson for the provinces’ construction unions. “The Safety Systems Act and Safety Systems Authority Act will effectively deregulate standards for the construction of safe and secure industrial and institutional infrastructure,” according to Wayne Peppard, Executive Director of the Building and Construction Trades Council.

The provincial government introduced the two Acts this week as a measure to “streamline” existing legislation. Over time the new Acts will override The Electrical Safety Act, Power Engineers and Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act, Elevator Devices Act and Gas Safety Act.

Provisions that allow for “Equivalent Standards Agreements” are the greatest risk for public safety, according to the Building Trades Executive Director. “Non-qualified workers will be allowed to fabricate and assemble these critical safety devices,” according to Peppard. “It’s outrageous that less than fully qualified trades workers will be permitted to work on these systems. By allowing the semi-skilled and helpers to build these systems the government is putting workers and the public at great risk,” Peppard said.

The Safety Systems Act will also devolve inspection responsibilities to Field Safety Representatives (FSR’s) and allow contractors to self-declare conformity to regulations. “This provision is an invitation for disaster,” according to Peppard. “Monitoring self-compliance through occasional audits, as the government is proposing, is naïve and ignorant of the realities in the construction market,” the Building Trades spokesman said.

For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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