‘Unacceptable’ workplace death rate

REGINA Saskatchewan’s labour minister said this week the number of workplace deaths in the province is “unacceptable.”

Exposure to asbestos was the leading cause.

“It’s troubling,” Don Morgan said, adding “we should be far less” than the 47 workplace fatalities so far in 2018. In 2017, there were 27 deaths.

“Usually most years we see a decline, and it is troubling when it goes up,” Morgan said.

Thirteen of the 47 deaths were related to asbestos exposure — six of those being firefighters who dealt with exposure and got cancer.

Eight people died on the job in a motor vehicle accident.

There were nine “traumatic” deaths — caused by being caught in equipment, carbon monoxide poisoning, a fall, a shooting, being struck by falling objects, being crushed by equipment, electrocution and assault.

One person died on the job from assault, while four died of heart attacks.

The high number of deaths this year prompted the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour to call on the provincial government to hold an emergency meeting and develop a strategy to protect workers.

Morgan had no explanation for the increase, saying it is “surprising.”

Six of the 47 deaths are from the Humboldt bus crash, but Morgan said, “Even if you took those out, it is still an increase and it is unacceptable.”

Morgan also pointed out that “Bizarrely enough, one of the fatalities we had was our deputy minister (Richard Murray), who had a heart attack and died at work. So it’s a really rough time.”