VICTORIA — B.C.'s workers safety authority has introduced a new investigation model that improves the chances of criminal prosecutions for job site incidents.
The changes are in a progress report launched after failed prosecutions in two separate sawmill explosions in northern British Columbia where four workers were killed and 40 others were injured.
WorkSafeBC administrator Gordon Macatee reports that the new investigation model preserves the ability to conduct investigations for both cause and prosecutions at the scene of accidents or incidents.
The Liberal government said last spring massive changes are needed at WorkSafeBC to restore public confidence in the worker-protection agency's investigations after two deadly sawmill blasts at Burns Lake and Prince George failed to result in charges.
The Opposition New Democrats have been calling for a public inquiry into the explosions.
Macatee says he's more confident now that there could be a successful prosecution in the event of a workplace incident where an employer is responsible.
