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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 |
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. |
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. more Click on links below for webcast
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Wayne Peppard, BC and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council RT: 4:23 |
Larry Campbell, Vancouver Mayor RT: 1:28 |
Mike Davis, son of Donald Davis one of the 4 carpenters killed in 1981 Bentall tragedy RT: 5:08 |
Don Nelson, Workers Compensation Board of British Columbia RT: 5:55 |
Jim Sinclair, BC Federation of Labour RT: 3:23 |
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