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This year marks the 15th anniversary of the
death of Sean Kells. In November 1994 Sean Kells was 19
years old, and in his third day of a part-time job at an
automotive after-sales services company. He was asked to
fill smaller containers from an unmarked drum of
rubberized protective coating. A static charge ignited
the flammable vapours and he was engulfed in flames. The
company pleaded guilty to two charges of negligence and
was fined $75,000. The company’s owner was fined $10,000
for failure to ensure safe work practices.
To protect employees,
especially the young and inexperienced summer students,
it’s important to remember that they have three
fundamental rights:
1. The right to know about
hazard materials and practices
2. The right to refuse work
they believe is dangerous, and
3. The right to participate
in decisions affecting their health and safety.
Let’s make this a safe
summer for everyone!
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Sources:
http://www.canoe.ca/CareerConnectionNews/050202_ontatwork2.html
http://www.readersdigest.ca/mag/1998/04/think_01.htm
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