(Halifax) - The president of CUPE Nova Scotia, Danny Cavanagh, says the provincial government’s introduction of fines to help improve workplace safety sends a much-needed message to both workers and employers.
“This is indeed a long overdue step on the part of government. To have 32 workplace fatalities in the last year is 32 too many. Workers, employers and the government all have a role to play so that we can lower that number to zero.
“Sadly, it needs to come to a money issue for many employers to get them to understand the importance of occupational health and safety,” says Cavanagh.
Cavanagh, a municipal outside worker, says the changes allow the Department of Labour to assign a penalty after reviewing orders issued by a health and safety officer. This new penalty system is already in place in several other provinces.
For information:
Danny Cavanagh John McCracken
President, CUPE Nova Scotia CUPE Communications Representative
(902) 957-0822 (Cell) (902) 455-4180 (o)