LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
ALBERTA
David Swann, MD
Leaps OFFICAL OPPOSITION OF AUBERT
Hoon. Thomas Lukaszuk
Minister of Employment and Immigration
418 Legislature Building
10800.97 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta TSK 2B6
January 20, 2011
Dear Minister Lukaszul,
‘The tragic death of two paid farm workers in southeast Edmonton on December 2, as well asthe
death ofa firm worker in Norther Alberta in early January, is once again provoking calls for the
government to include paid farm workers under the Ocewpational Health and Safety Act and the
Workers’ Compensation Act will continue to urge this s the oaly responsible course of action
forall workers in Alberta
‘An interim step that must be taken isto ensure that every farm death, sevious injury, or injury of|
1 child receives a full investigation, We note that, inthe case of the most recent accidents in
Edmonton and Northern Alberta, Occupational Health and Safety inspectors were notable to
‘conduct an investigation due tothe continuing exemption of paid farm workers from the
Occupational Health and Safety Act
‘Therefore, we request that the Farming and Ranching Exemption be amended to allow for
investigations into all farm-related deaths, serious injures, or injuries involving a child. This
‘ould be accomplished by extending section 38 of the Occupational Health and Safty Act,
‘which permits the Minister to convene a board of inguiry into the circumstances of an accident,
to apply tothe farming and ranching industies.
‘This change to the Farming and Ranching Exemption could be accomplished by a simple Onder-
{n-Couneil and would result in a legal avenve for investigations into serious incidents involving
paid farm workers. The information that would be obtained from these investigations would be
invaluable in preventing future deaths and serious injuries on Albert's farms.‘We reiterate that paid farm workers must be fully protected by al relevant workplace safety and
\orkers’ compensation legislation. In the interim, however, permitting investigations into farm-
‘elated deaths, serious injuries, or injuries involving a child isa positive rst step towards
improving Alberta’s farm safety record.
Cordially yours,
Dr. David Swann
‘Leader, Official Opposition of Alberta
cc. Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier
‘Honourable Jack Hayden, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
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