WorkSafeBC hoping to prevent accidents among roofers

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Now that spring is here, it may be the right time to fix that leaking roof or remove some old shingles. It’s a task big enough for you to hire a roofing contractor.

But doing the job can be dangerous, even for a professional; that’s why WorkSafeBC is teaching those in the industry about accident prevention today.

Statistics show about 300 people over a three-year period were seriously hurt after falling on a steep slope at work. Don Schouten with WorkSafeBC says that’s a huge concern with many consequences.

“It’s a dangerous type of business to be in because you are at heights and there is always the potential to fall. If a fall does occur it, certainly can cause a serious life-changing type of injury, ” he explains.

“It has a devastating effect, not only on that worker, but the worker’s family,” says Schouten, adding accidents are quite severe.

“The average days lost per claim or injury is roughly 126 days per injury when a person is off work,” he tells us, noting that can be a pain for businesses.

Today’s conference happens all day at the Roofing Contractors Association of BC office in Langley.

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