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Quick Peak: Construction worker dies in fall; Seniors town hall; Oysters warning

Construction worker dies in fall The death of a former Powell River resident at a Saanich construction site has his loved ones looking for changes in workplace safety standards.
 

Construction worker dies in fall

The death of a former Powell River resident at a Saanich construction site has his loved ones looking for changes in workplace safety standards.

On January 10, 51-year-old Roland Huetzelmann was thrown by high winds from the third story of a condo development he was working on and over a makeshift safety railing. Huetzelmann later died from injuries sustained in the fall.

Currently, tethers and harnesses on higher elevation jobs are not required under law as long as a safety railing is provided.

WorkSafe BC senior manager of media relations Trish Knight Chernecki said the agency is investigating the accident and what changes could be made to prevent a similar incident.

"The investigation is ongoing and it will be a full investigation on cause and prevention under the Workers Compensation Act," said Knight Chernecki.

Huetzelmann's family resides in Powell River.

 

Seniors town hall

Before North Island Powell River MP Rachel Blaney heads back to Ottawa for the start of a new session of parliament at the end of the month, she is travelling around her riding to hear directly from seniors, and those who care for them, about the challenges they face.

Seniors issues became increasingly clear to her as she started asking what people in the riding were most concerned about, and it fits into a larger national issue the country faces, she said.

“By 2036, one third of the population will be seniors,” said Blaney. “We need to be prepared. I’m hearing more stories of seniors facing poverty and housing crises than ever before.”

She added that the New Democrats will be working on a national seniors strategy that would see the federal government take a greater role in working with the provincial, territorial and municipal governments to address needs.

Blaney will host the seniors town hall from 1-3 pm on Thursday, January 19, at Dwight Hall. 

 

Oysters warning

People who enjoy eating their oysters raw or lightly cooked are being warned after the BC Centre for Disease Control (CDC) stated that over 70 cases of acute gastrointestinal illness linked to the shellfish have been reported since last month.

The cases range widely, with reports coming from communities in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley.

Officials from the CDC said they are working on tracking the illnesses down to a particular farm and day. Until they can do so, they are advising that oysters be cooked thoroughly.