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Commemoration of Bentall tower construction tragedy



Webcast of January 7, 2005 ceremony to remember four B.C. Carpenters killed on the job building the Bentall IV Tower in downtown Vancouver on January 7 1981




Commemoration


A tragic accident occurred on January 7, 1981.

Four carpenters plunged thirty-six floors to their deaths when a fly form used for pouring concrete broke away from the top of Bentall Centre�s Tower IV. Gunther Couvreux, 49; Brian Stevenson, 21; Donald W. Davis, 34; and Yrjo Mitrunen, 46; lost their lives in that tragedy.

Wreath

Today the B.C. construction industry continues to see an average of 29 deaths a year since the Bentall Centre accident. Last year, 44 workers in the construction industry died.

The Workers' Compensation Board has undergone restructuring in the past four years. There are fewer inspectors to conduct field inspections. Health and safety regulations have been cut. Performance based regulations (inspecting employers based on their track record) have replaced specific prescriptive regulations.

We are facing a massive increase in construction activity in the next five years. Now more than ever the responsibility for workers� safety rests with WCB inspectors, employers and the employees themselves. 14 pixel transparent gif more



Click on links below for webcast
Please be patient. Files may take several minutes to download:




Wayne Peppard, BC and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council 14 pixel transparent gif RT: 4:23
Wayne Peppard
Windows Media Player video
QuickTime audio
Windows Media Player audio




Larry Campbell, Vancouver Mayor 14 pixel transparent gif RT: 1:28
Larry Campbell
Windows Media Player video
QuickTime audio
Windows Media Player audio




Mike Davis, son of Donald Davis one of the 4 carpenters killed in 1981 Bentall tragedy 14 pixel transparent gif RT: 5:08
Davis
Windows Media Player video
QuickTime audio
Windows Media Player audio




Don Nelson, Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia 14 pixel transparent gif RT: 5:55
Windows Media Player video
QuickTime audio
Windows Media Player audio




Jim Sinclair, BC Federation of Labour 14 pixel transparent gif RT: 3:23
Jim Sinclair
Windows Media Player video
QuickTime audio
Windows Media Player audio




Phil Vernon
"Murder" ( RT: 3:14 ) song about the Bentall IV tragedy written and recorded by [email protected], a member of the same Carpenters' union local as the 4 men who died January 7, 1981 Available on cassette tape on
Fellow Worker


MP3 audio
QuickTime audio
Windows Media Player audio





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