Federal cuts undermining workplace safety: CCPA

摘要

Federal underfunding and understaffing of safety inspectors are putting employees in federally regulated workplaces in harm's way, according to a study released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). The study, by CCPA research associate John Anderson, examined occupational health and safety developments between 2007 and 2012 in sectors under federal jurisdiction, including banking, communications, broadcasting, postal services, road, air, rail and water transport, as well as the federal government. In 2012, almost 1.2 million employees worked in the federally regulated sector. According to figures obtained by the Public Service Alliance of Canada in April, there were 67 inspectors to oversee health and safety in federally regulated employers across the country. However, the Labour Program of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) said there are 92 inspectors today. In 2005, there were 151 inspectors.