Photos prove failure of physical distancing at Trans Mountain construction sites on the same day WorkSafeBC told the City of Burnaby they found “no concerns.”

Mountain Protectors

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2020

Contact: 

Jim Leyden and Mountain Protectors – 236.788.6764

contactmountainprotectors@gmail.com

 

Photos prove failure of physical distancing at Trans Mountain construction sites on the same day WorkSafeBC told the City of Burnaby they found “no concerns.” Mountain Protectors and Burnaby Residents Opposing KinderMorgan Expansion (BROKE) have released consistent photographic evidence of failure to address potential pandemic spread despite WorkSafeBC’s inspections, provoking concern at Burnaby City Council.

 

 

The following letter is released June 1, 2020 in response to received correspondence between the City of Burnaby, WorksafeBC and Trans Mountain Pipeline Company. Following an initial April 20 report containing photographic evidence-backed concerns regarding lack of social distancing released by Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder-Morgan Expansion (BROKE) and Mountain Protectors, the City of Burnaby brought its concern to Trans Mountain. Trans Mountain replied providing a copy of its 68-page COVID-19 Preparedness Report; and the City of Burnaby was informed by WorkSafeBC of prevention officer visits to the Tank Farm and the Westridge Marine Terminal sites – on April 27^th and April 30^th respectively. WorkSafe BC prevention officers found “no concerns at either site.” Our photos prove otherwise.

 

 

June 2, 2020

 

To         Anne Naser (President and CEO, WorkSafeBC)
Honourable Adrian Dix (British Columbia Minister of Health)
His Worship Mike Hurley (Mayor, City of Burnaby)
Ian Anderson (President and CEO, Trans Mountain Pipeline Company)

 

 

For centuries the Coast Salish nations have defended and protected their communities and territories through the use of traditional Watch Houses and Watchmen.

 

It was the duty of the traditional Watchmen to engage in surveillance of their land and to report any threats to the community.

 

As part of the Mountain Protectors duties at Kwekwecnewtxw, the Watch House on Burnaby Mountain, we have dutifully observed and reported the unwelcomed presence and actions of Trans Mountain and their workers.

 

On a daily basis we have photographed their activities. When activities are deemed to be disrespectful or dangerous we have reported it to the appropriate regulatory bodies, to our communities and to the general public.

 

From our beginning, we have documented and reported environmental and workplace safety violations, and more recently we have witnessed violations of COVID-19 physical distancing and PPE orders.

 

To date we have been consistently dismayed by the failure of the appropriate Federal and Provincial ministries to follow up with full and appropriate investigations, instead, bowing down to the unreasonable and disproportionate power and influence of the fossil fuel industry.

 

We ask that you to clarify and explain WorkSafe BC’s investigative practices.

 

In your May 8 letter to Mayor Hurley, WorkSafeBC stated that your officers found no concerns at the Burnaby Tank Farm on April 27, nor at the Westridge Marine Terminal on April 30. However, photographic evidence shows workers in close proximity with each other, without the use of barriers, shields, masks or gloves, on the same date as your visits. We do not understand why no violations were reported by WorkSafeBC at the Tank Farm. Though we did not visit Westridge Marine Terminal on the day of your investigation, we have found similar and consistent violations at both sites. Please see our pictures below.

 

 

1. Photographed at Burnaby Tank Farm, 4:22PM April 27th 2020

These workers are not wearing masks even though they are standing very close to one another.

 

 

2. Photographed at Burnaby Tank Farm, 4:46PM April 27th 2020

Two workers are standing very close to one another without wearing masks.

 

 

3. Photographed at Burnaby Tank Farm, 4:50PM April 27th 2020

Again, two workers are not wearing protective equipment nor physically distancing despite the sign that tells them to remain two meters apart.

 

We are concerned about your workers and public safety; we recognize the responsibility of management and administrators – not simply on-the-ground workers – to provide sufficient access to PPE, and to guarantee safe and hygienic working conditions. As per Trans Mountain’s May 2 COVID-19 Preparedness and Planning Report, the corporation acknowledges in section 4.1.6 that “In situations where the physical distancing requirements cannot be maintained, under the guidance of a health and safety advisor or supervisors, enhanced PPE and appropriate hygiene practices must be used to carry out the work. Workers will wear a particulate filtering mask (procedural, N95, P100 or other equivalent), eye protection, and gloves” (p. 21). Trans Mountain also states in this section of the report that they “have adequate PPE in stock for the foreseeable future,” so we are left wondering why such equipment does not appear to be used consistently. (Indeed, we have photos from various dates depicting workers being placed in similar situations without appropriate PPE.)

 

Would you please offer an explanation of what is happening in these photographs, including why protective gear is not being utilized?
How does WorkSafeBC hold employers responsible for maintaining safe working conditions during this pandemic?
Has WorkSafeBC received the BROKE and Mountain Protectors’ multiple publications of photographic evidence showing failure to physically distance at Trans Mountain?

 

Failure to maintain physical distance has been ongoing and constant throughout this pandemic; most recent photographs show continued non-compliance.

 

 

 

 

4. 5. 6. 7. Photographed at Burnaby Tank Farm and Westridge Terminals, May 29th 2020.

 

Failure to physical distance puts our local communities at increased risk of lethal pandemic outbreak. Large corporations such as Trans Mountain’s profiting is not more essential than the health and lives of our community members.

 

The pandemic crisis that we are living now has exposed and exemplifies countless pre-existing  and slower crises in our communities: like the systematic impunity with which Trans Mountain acts as it threatens the safety and health of our communities.

 

We appreciate your attention to our questions. We all hold the safety of the workers and public health at highest priority.

 

We appreciate your attention to our questions. We all hold the safety of the workers and public health at highest priority.

 

Kind thanks,

Signed,

Jim Leyden and the guardians at the Coast Salish Watch House
Burnaby Residents Opposing KinderMorgan Expansion (BROKE)