Labor leaders and opposition parties urge the Newfoundland and Labrador government to address shortcomings in investigating serious workplace accidents.
“Every day without meaningful action places workers at risk,” said Jessica McCormick, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, on Wednesday.
“It’s time for our government to step up, take health and safety seriously, and ensure every worker returns home safe at the end of the day.”
These calls follow Tuesday’s CBC Investigates story about a 2022 internal government audit. The review revealed overworked staff and insufficient training slowed down investigations.
In some cases, the two-year deadline to lay occupational health and safety charges passed, potentially letting employers off the hook.
McCormick called it “shameful” that some employers avoided accountability due to procedural failures.
“Most employers provide a safe workplace, but some might gamble on inadequate resources for proper investigations if an accident occurs,” McCormick told CBC News on Wednesday.
“So we absolutely need clear timelines and a clear direction from the provincial government on when they’ll finally make the necessary changes to keep workers safe.”
Furthermore, McCormick emphasized that action needs to come from the top.
“The blame for this issue should never be placed on the people who work in the OHS division,” she said.
Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees president Jerry Earle said front-line workers are doing their best.
“It comes down to the need for appropriate human resources, and that responsibility falls back on management and government departments to ensure,” Earle said.
“This is the consequence when we have critical positions left short.”
Enhancing Workplace Safety with Deferred Prosecution Agreements
The Department of Digital Government and Service N.L. has not granted interview requests over the past three weeks.
However, in a statement late Wednesday afternoon, officials said they remain committed to providing the best service possible when investigating serious occupational health and safety incidents.
Moreover, the department reiterated that they accepted all the recommendations from the internal audit and are working to implement them, although they have not provided a timeline.
Additionally, officials mentioned that they made further progress, including finalizing standard operating procedures now used by OHS officers.
Opposition Urges Immediate Action on Workplace Safety
Opposition parties demand action. The Tories urge the Liberal government to take “immediate and decisive action” in response to the audit, which exposes severe shortcomings in investigating serious workplace accidents.
Exploits MHA Pleaman Forsey describes the audit findings as “severely damning.”
He highlighted that occupational health and safety investigations serve as a crucial deterrent and protect injured workers.
“To know that at least one-quarter of the investigations reviewed were not completed within the two-year timeframe is certainly concerning,” said Forsey, the Progressive Conservative critic responsible for Workplace N.L. “The Liberal government is failing to update their policies, putting workers at risk.”
NDP MHA Jordan Brown, who represents Labrador West, also criticized the province over the audit’s findings and the slow pace of addressing identified issues.
Commissioned in 2020 and concluded in late 2022, the audit highlighted significant concerns.
“Government’s refusal to ensure resources and expertise for investigating workplace injuries and deaths shows callous indifference,” said Brown. “Everyone deserves to work safely and return home to their families. Investigating workplace incidents promptly to identify and address issues should be a priority. Unfortunately, it’s not for the Liberal government.”