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Environmental tobacco smoke fines top WCB infractions

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Richmond, B.C., February 26, 2004 — More than one-third of the B.C. companies fined for penalty infractions by the Workers' Compensation Board in the last six months of 2003 were cited for environmental violations involving tobacco smoke in the workplace.

From July to December 2003, 12 of the thirty-two companies listed in the penalty summary had fines totaling more than $30,000 for failing to control worker exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace. Most of the violations occurred at pubs and hotels in varying regions of the province and one each at a restaurant and bowling ally.

"I know the vast majority of the approximately 8,400 hospitality employers are in compliance," said Ross Pallett, WCB Director of Regional Services, "those that are not face the same enforcement process as any other employer. Repeated non-compliance can and does result in penalties because workers are continuing to be exposed to this hazard."

More than $172,000 in penalties was reported during this six-month period with the highest fine of $21,507 levied against a Vancouver firm for worker exposure to asbestos in an electrical room that the owner knew to be contaminated. A Fort Nelson firm was fined $16,153 for a lack of information, instruction, training and supervision being provided to a worker that contributed to a fatal injury. Another significant penalty of $12,486 was levied against a Delta company for hindering a WCB officer investigation by failing to make a reasonable effort to ensure the required witnesses were available for questioning.

Serving nearly two million workers and more than 172,000 employers, the Workers' Compensation Board of B.C. is a provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors. The WCB is committed to a safe and healthy workplace and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment, and to being responsible, accountable and financially sustainable.

For more information please contact:
Gladys Johnsen
Public Affairs Manager
Prevention Division, WCB
604 214-5441 or toll-free in B.C. at 1 888 621-7233, local 5441
or cell 604 908-0876