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WorkSafeBC sponsors Project Heavy Duty
Richmond B.C., May 27, 2005—The Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia (WCB) has partnered with School District No. 60, Peace River North and the North Peace business community to give 35 grade eleven and twelve students the opportunity to learn about and operate a variety of heavy equipment used by the heavy construction industry, in a six day, hands-on experience through Project Heavy Duty, May 27th to June 3rd.
The job site, where students will work with the heavy equipment most often used by the resource-based industry, is at the city's snow dump site at the south end of Fort St. John. "There are five stations set up on the thirty-acre site, each reflecting a different aspect of the heavy construction industry in the North Peace region. These stations include the construction of a standard oilfield drilling lease, a production pad, pipeline division, soil stripping component and an active logging operation," says Richard Koop, district principal and project coordinator. "The intention is to make this experience as authentic as possible for the participants."
The WCB will conduct a safety education session and provide personal protection equipment including a hard hat, a hi-viz-vest, gloves, and a first aid kit to each student. In the six days the participants will visit local heavy equipment shops and worksites, be given an opportunity to try-out various types of heavy equipment, and be given an overview of the construction industry by industry representatives who will also relay the important role that safety plays in their industry.
"It's important that students get exposed to the health and safety message at the start of their work experience as young workers — particularly young male workers — are at much greater risk of injury than any other workers in B.C.," says Don Dahr, Manager of Industry and Labour Services. "Community groups took the lead in this project and help us get the safety message out. Not only will students gain first-hand on-the-job experience, but all who participate in this project will have a heightened level of understanding about safety in this or any other industry."
The Workers' Compensation Board of British Columbia is an independent provincial statutory agency governed by a Board of Directors that serves nearly two million workers and 179,000 employers. The WCB was born out of a compromise between B.C.'s workers and employers in 1917 where workers gave up the right to sue their employers and fellow workers for injuries on the job in return for a no-fault insurance program fully paid for by employers. The WCB is committed to safe and healthy workplaces and to providing return-to-work rehabilitation and legislated compensation benefits to workers injured as a result of their employment.
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For more information please contact: |
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| Gladys Johnsen Public Affairs Manager Prevention Division, WCB 604 214-5441 or toll-free in B.C. 1 888 621-7233, local 5441 Or cell 604 908-0876 |
Richard Koop
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