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Three employees of 'Farmers Fresh Mushrooms' were killed
and three others injured in a confined space incident
back in September. In a classic example of a multiple
casualty confined space incident, an undisclosed number
of people were working to repair a motor in a confined
space where they were felled. The other injuries
occurred as others attempted an ill-advised rescue.
Although the incident is still under investigation,
preliminary reports indicate that a blanked pipe leaked
gas, possibly hydrogen sulphide, into the confined
space. First Responders performed atmospheric testing
and entered the space wearing SCBA to make the rescue.
“This is a terrible incident
claiming multiple lives, as confined space incidents can
do. It is a very human instinct to go to the aid of a
co-worker in distress,” said Roberta Ellis, Vice
President of Investigations for WorkSafeBC.
The United Food and
Commercial Workers Local 1518 have said that many
workers have come forth with allegations of safety
violations at the site.
"The investigation and final
report into what happened at the mushroom farm in
September could take up to a year to complete," said Jim
Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour. "We
already know there are far too many, entirely
preventable, incidents happening almost every day in
agricultural operations in the Province."
Sources:
http://www.worksafebc.com/news_room/news_releases/2008/new_08_09_08.asp
OHS Canada, December 2008,
OH&S Update
http://www.ufcw1518.com/view.php?id=2621
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