Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Vivesh Kochher and AVR Drywall Recycling Ltd. fined $20,000 by WorkSafe BC for knowingly exposing employees to asbestos

Darpan News Desk WorkSafe BC, 13 Apr, 2022 09:59 AM
  • Vivesh Kochher and AVR Drywall Recycling Ltd. fined $20,000 by WorkSafe BC for knowingly exposing employees to asbestos
Richmond, B.C. (April 13, 2022) — WorkSafeBC provided comment today on the sentencing of Vivesh Kochher who pleaded guilty to charges under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
 
WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that Mr. Kochher had failed to ensure the health and safety of between 13 and 15 workers, by knowingly exposing them to asbestos-containing material. The defendant had defied a WorkSafeBC stop-work order, which was issued on Sept. 21, 2019, by a WorkSafeBC Prevention Officer who inspected the site and found asbestos.
 
WorkSafeBC’s investigation recommended that charges be laid under the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Charges were laid in November 2021 and guilty pleas were entered in March 2022.
 
A hearing took place in Provincial Court on March 2, 2022, and the following sentence was imposed on Kochher:
  • A $20,000 fine, plus a victim surcharge.
  • Three-year prohibition on owning or operating a waste transfer facility or any other business that involves the management, handling, or disposal of asbestos-containing material.
“More than half of all work-related fatalities are from occupational diseases, of which the majority are from exposure to asbestos,” said Al Johnson, Head of Prevention Services for WorkSafeBC. “We cannot, and will not, tolerate employers endangering the lives of workers. There are profound consequences for this kind of egregious disregard for worker health and safety."
 
Asbestos is the number one killer of workers in B.C. In the last 10 years, there were approximately 600 accepted claims for work-related deaths in B.C. because of asbestos exposure.
 
Photo AVR Drywall Recycling Ltd courtesy of Facebook. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Pope apologizes for residential schools

Pope apologizes for residential schools
The pontiff stood Friday before a room of nearly 200 Indigenous delegates in the Sala Clementina, one of the halls of the Apostolic Palace, and asked for God's forgiveness for the deplorable conduct of church members.

Pope apologizes for residential schools

Future COVID-19 waves likely amid transition: Tam

Future COVID-19 waves likely amid transition: Tam
Tam advised Canadians to keep wearing masks and ensure vaccinations are up to date due to the risk of a rise in cases and in light of reduced public health measures.

Future COVID-19 waves likely amid transition: Tam

Ukraine MPs ask Canada for money to buy weapons

Ukraine MPs ask Canada for money to buy weapons
The group of Ukrainian parliamentarians are in Ottawa this week to meet Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other federal government officials in a desperate bid to secure more support.

Ukraine MPs ask Canada for money to buy weapons

B.C. considers fourth COVID-19 dose: minister

B.C. considers fourth COVID-19 dose: minister
Health Minister Adrian Dix says the province is preparing to provide an update this Tuesday on potentially making a fourth COVID-19 dose available to vulnerable people in British Columbia. The minister says discussions are underway about providing a second booster shot to clinically vulnerable people such as those in long-term care.

B.C. considers fourth COVID-19 dose: minister

249 COVID19 cases for Thursday

249 COVID19 cases for Thursday
There are 281 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 42 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths (Fraser Health) have been reported, for an overall total of 2,998.

249 COVID19 cases for Thursday

2 youths arrested for an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam

2 youths arrested for an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam
On March 10, 2022, just after 6 p.m., a man was chased into the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station by two suspects, one of whom was seen carrying a large machete. The man attempted to use a pylon to protect himself, while one of the suspects allegedly swung the machete in his direction several times. The machete eventually made contact with the side of the victim’s head.

2 youths arrested for an alleged assault involving a machete in Coquitlam