Latest news with #WorkSafeBC
CTV News
15 hours ago
- CTV News
B.C. driver who caused life-altering injuries for A&W worker gets $1,500 fine
An 80-year-old driver who crashed into a North Vancouver fast food restaurant, sending a worker scalded with oil to the ICU, has been fined $1,500. The driver who changed Ruby Punzalan's life forever has received a fine for driving without due care and attention. George Collins was behind the wheel of the SUV that collided with the wall of the North Vancouver A&W restaurant Punzalan was managing in March 2024. The collision splashed burning hot oil from the restaurant's deep fryer all over Punzalan's face and body. She spent three weeks in intensive care and almost a month in a burn recovery unit. Earlier this year, the B.C. Prosecution Service approved the charge against Collins in connection to the case. Driving without due care and attention is a Motor Vehicle Act offence, not a Criminal Code offence. That distinction means Punzalan cannot sue Collins or ICBC for compensation. Under ICBC's 'enhanced care' model, victims can only sue for damages if the driver is convicted of a criminal offence. In January, Punzalan told CTV News WorkSafeBC has been covering 90 per cent of her salary, as well as her medical bills and therapist appointments. She said ICBC contacted her monthly to check-in, but she had not received any compensation from the Crown corporation up to that point. In a statement at the time, ICBC said 'currently, WorkSafeBC is providing all recovery benefits for Mrs. Punzalan and we're not aware of any additional benefits needed.' It added it would provide coverage for any treatments or benefits needed under enhanced care that aren't covered by WorkSafeBC. Collins entered a guilty plea in the case earlier this week, according to the BCPS. The 80-year-old was sentenced to a fine of $1,500, plus a victim surcharge of $225. With files from CTV News Vancouver's Shannon Paterson and Isabella Zavarise
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
B.C. tribunal rejects injured worker's claim for $20K rifle under health benefits
A British Columbia tribunal has rejected an injured logger's bid to claim tens of thousands of dollars worth of high-end hunting gear – including a $20,000 rifle and a pair of $3,900 binoculars – as part of his physical rehabilitation following a workplace accident. The Workers' Compensation Appeal Tribunal says the decision marks the culmination of a 'lengthy procedural history' of reviews and appeals at various levels within the province's workplace safety and compensation agency, known as WorkSafeBC, involving the health benefits claim. The forestry worker, who is not named in the decision, was injured on the job in 2016, sustaining a 'litany of permanent physical injuries,' including a fractured spine, hearing loss and an amputated forearm. A part of his rehabilitation, the agency already bought the avid outdoorsman an all-terrain vehicle, valued at $40,000, as well as a trailer and a specialized hoist for his garage to lift his dog carrier on and off the vehicle. 'These items were provided to him so that he could go out into the woods to exercise his dogs and train them in cougar tracking,' the tribunal noted in its decision last month, summarizing the observations of an officer who reviewed the case. The injured worker was similarly furnished with a pair of motors for his fishing boat – equipped with specialized electric starters and tilt functions to easily raise and lower them into the water – along with a 'special fishing rod, chest harness and two electric fishing reels.' But when the claimant told his occupational therapist that he was ready to start hunting again, he compiled another list of equipment he intended to expense under his health benefits. 'Semi-custom' rifle sought Prior to his injury, the claimant would hunt animals on foot, shooting them with a rifle at close range, he said. However, due to physical limitations in the wake of the accident, his new plan was to hunt from 'a stand overlooking a large area, and shoot animals from a stable position, from ranges out to and exceeding 1,000 yards,' the appeal tribunal heard. To accomplish the task, the claimant would need an 'extremely lightweight' rifle and scope, chambered for a preferred type of ammunition that costs $180 per box, the tribunal heard. 'He was aware of a particular (rifle) brand which he liked, anticipating that the total cost of his rifle and scope would be in excess of $20,000,' tribunal vice-chair Anand Banerjee wrote in the decision. 'In particular, the worker requested that the board provide him with a semi-custom rifle manufactured by a small American firm called Gunwerks, in a model called the 'ClymR.'' The worker explained that he would be shooting at animals from a range of 800 to 1,700 yards, according to the tribunal, and 'this is why he needed a rifle and scope combination which would be accurate at such extreme distances.' Swarovski binoculars, accessories The claimant would also require a brand-new pair of Swarovski binoculars valued at $3,900. 'The worker expressed the view that lesser brands than Swarovski would cause him to experience eye strain over long hours of use, and this is why he wanted the premium binoculars,' Banerjee wrote. The hunter went on to provide a more detailed wish list in November 2021, explaining that, if the Gunwerks rifle was not available, a titanium rifle built by arms maker Proof Research would be 'an acceptable alternative' at $16,000, the tribunal heard. 'In addition to the Swarovski binoculars, the worker requested a Swarovski-branded forehead rest ($175), a Swarovski-branded universal tripod adapter ($154), a brand-new shooting tripod made by Gunwerks ($650), a Hog Saddle clamping rifle rest for the new tripod ($429) and a brand-new rangefinder which offered ballistic compensation (approximately $1,800),' Banerjee wrote. Prior claims, dismissals When WorkSafeBC rejected the man's itemized request in August 2022, the board noted he had already been provided a rifle through a separate worker's compensation claim in 2013, when he was working as a hunting guide. 'Although you have been provided with a firearm previously, I must consider your current request on its individual merits and circumstances, which means that because you were provided a firearm in the past does not mean that you are currently entitled to another firearm,' the board wrote in its 2022 decision. The board also placed 'significant weight' on the fact that WorkSafeBC could not ensure that a new gun 'will be used in a lawful and safe manner,' it said, denying the request for the gun and the associated hunting gear. The man appealed the decision to WorkSafeBC's review division, which, in February 2023, affirmed the board's dismissal of his request. 'Since the board had already provided the worker with significant recreational items associated with his interest in hunting, (it) was satisfied that nothing further was reasonably necessary,' Banerjee summarized. The man exhausted his last appeal by pleading his case to the tribunal, where Banerjee spent 'several months' and 'obtained a number of books and articles on the various topics relating to long-range shooting, hunting, accuracy, optics, ammunition, ethics, and the price/availability of rifles, optics, and ammunition,' he said. Much of that reading material was provided to the worker at the beginning of this year. 'I made it clear to him that I wished to learn about his experience and knowledge in hunting and long-range shooting, and I was interested in hearing whether he agreed or disagreed with any of the materials provided to him,' Banerjee wrote. Hunter lacks 'skill and experience' Over the course of the appeal hearing, the tribunal vice-chair and the claimant discussed in fine detail the mechanics of different rifles, optics and ammunition, as well as the importance of hunting in the man's life. At the conclusion of the hearing, Banerjee cited three grounds for denying the appeal. First among them was the vice-chair's finding that the claimant 'does not possess the level of skill and experience – or even the desire to master the necessary level of skill and experience' to participate in long-range hunting in any 'meaningful extent.' 'I question whether the proposed long-range hunting even meets the minimal threshold of being something for which the worker has sufficient interest or passion in order to be considered as a health-care benefit,' he wrote. 'Life-or-death decision' Banerjee also expressed concern that the claimant was diagnosed with bouts of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and post-traumatic stress as a result of his injury, with one doctor observing that he had a 'short fuse' and was at risk of self-harm. The same doctor also assessed that the worker was prone to difficulty completing tasks without error 'due to waning attention/fatigue,' adding he 'is able to complete tasks where accuracy is not a critical job requirement.' Banerjee stressed that long-range rife hunting 'is literally defined by the concept of 'accuracy,' both mental and physical' and that such hunters are 'required to make a literal life-or-death decision' based on several simultaneous factors. He also emphasized that providing the gear as part of the worker's health-care benefits would signal an 'implied endorsement' of both the hunter's skill and hunting ethics, as well as an endorsement of the equipment sought, which Banerjee assessed as not likely to result in ethical hunts at such great distances in the hands of the worker. Finally, the tribunal vice-chair explained that the claimant already owns 'a battery of rifles' with high-end scopes, although 'he considers every single one of these rifles to be unsuitable for his new chosen hunting pursuit.' 'If this is the case, then he should be expected to sell or trade in these unsuitable rifles in order to maximize his returns and use the funds to purchase equipment that he prefers,' Banerjee concluded. 'This is a final reason why the worker should not be provided with the requested hunting equipment as a health-care benefit under this claim.'
The Province
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Province
When summer jobs go horribly wrong: This B.C. man has a warning for young workers
Darcy Kulai lost his right hand in a workplace accident nearly 30 years ago. He's now telling his story to help prevent young workers from getting hurt — or worse Darcy Kulai in a screengrab from a young worker safety video he participated in for WorkSafeBC. Photo by WorkSafeBC When Darcy Kulai was a 20-year-old university student and aspiring athlete, he made the fateful decision to take a summer job at the local sawmill in Ladysmith. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Working alone one night in the clatter and hum of the mill, he tried to clear sawdust building up beneath the chain driving the lumber conveyor belt — without first turning off the machine. The glove on his left hand caught in the chain and, when he tried to free it with his right hand, his predicament got worse. Now both hands were stuck and he was trapped in a Christ-like pose, badly injured and screaming for help with no response. When the shift ended an agonizing 15 or 20 minutes later, the machines went quiet and Kulai's co-workers finally came to his aid. The injuries were life-changing. His right hand was amputated that night and he endured months of surgeries that included rebuilding the thumb on his left hand using bone from his right. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Kulai slowly healed and tried to adapt, but everything was different now. Sports were 'kind of my life,' says Kulai now. 'You realize you can't do that stuff anymore. It messes with your self-image. ''Freak' is a strong word, but you definitely feel different from everybody else.' Understandably, Kulai has tried to forget about the accident and move on with his life in the nearly three decades since. Darcy Kulai with son Lucas, who is now 20 and a sports nut like his dad. Photo by Courtesy of Darcy Kulai But these days, Kulai has a college-age son of his own, and he's grown reflective about the moment that altered the course of his life. 'What would it be like if my son went through what I went through?' he found himself thinking. 'He's 20 now, the same age as when I got hurt.' Kulai — who now coaches basketball and golf at private Brentwood College and lives in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island — decided he would do whatever it takes to 'inspire kids to be safe at work.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. WorkSafeBC says summer jobs are especially risky for young adults. Nearly 7,000 young workers are injured on the job in B.C. every year, with serious injuries remaining steady at about 800 annually. 'Over the past five years, 34 young workers have tragically lost their lives due to workplace incidents,' says Angelique Prince, director of prevention programs and services at WorkSafeBC. While Kulai was hurt in an industrial setting, Prince says most injuries last year were in service-sector jobs, with 1,282 claims to WorkSafeBC, followed by construction (1,063 claims) and retail (492 claims). 'Young workers are highly vulnerable to workplace injuries,' says Prince. 'Inexperience, inadequate training and supervision, and unfamiliarity with workplace hazards can all increase the risk of injury — especially when workers don't feel empowered to ask questions or raise safety concerns.' 'If there's anything I can do to reduce the numbers of those injuries,' says Kulai, 'I'll do it.' Kulai recently decided to tell his story, with kids like his own top of mind, in a video for WorkSafeBC. 'It was an emotional ride, but I was happy with how it turned out, and have been getting good feedback,' he says. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. His key message to young workers: 'There are guidelines and procedures in place to protect you, and if you don't follow them, bad things can happen.' The worst thing a young employee can do is try to look 'cool' for his bosses. 'If there's anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, bring it up with your supervisors.' Kulai knows it can be uncomfortable to raise safety concerns, and that questioning superiors is not always looked upon favourably. 'But there's no reason to ever compromise your safety — ever.' 'Every worker in B.C. has the right to refuse unsafe work,' says Prince. 'The first step of course is to talk to your supervisor and let them know a task feels unsafe or makes you uncomfortable.' Deadlines, quotas, trying to get the work done quickly to impress the boss? 'If you get hurt, none of that stuff matters,' says Kulai. More WorkSafeBC resources are available: Advice for new and young workers, how to ask questions about safety, and support for employers on their responsibilities and how to train new employees. jruttle@ Read More Vancouver Canucks BC Lions Local News Vancouver Canucks World
Vancouver Sun
30-05-2025
- General
- Vancouver Sun
When summer jobs go horribly wrong: This B.C. man has a warning for young workers
When Darcy Kulai was a 20-year-old university student and aspiring athlete, he made the fateful decision to take a summer job at the local sawmill in Ladysmith. Working alone one night in the clatter and hum of the mill, he tried to clear sawdust building up beneath the chain driving the lumber conveyor belt — without first turning off the machine. The glove on his left hand caught in the chain and, when he tried to free it with his right hand, his predicament got worse. Now both hands were stuck and he was trapped in a Christ-like pose, badly injured and screaming for help with no response. When the shift ended an agonizing 15 or 20 minutes later, the machines went quiet and Kulai's co-workers finally came to his aid. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The injuries were life-changing. His right hand was amputated that night and he endured months of surgeries that included rebuilding the thumb on his left hand using bone from his right. Kulai slowly healed and tried to adapt, but everything was different now. Sports were 'kind of my life,' says Kulai now. 'You realize you can't do that stuff anymore. It messes with your self-image. ''Freak' is a strong word, but you definitely feel different from everybody else.' Understandably, Kulai has tried to forget about the accident and move on with his life in the nearly three decades since. But these days, Kulai has a college-age son of his own, and he's grown reflective about the moment that altered the course of his life. 'What would it be like if my son went through what I went through?' he found himself thinking. 'He's 20 now, the same age as when I got hurt.' Kulai — who now coaches basketball and golf at private Brentwood College and lives in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island — decided he would do whatever it takes to 'inspire kids to be safe at work.' WorkSafeBC says summer jobs are especially risky for young adults. Nearly 7,000 young workers are injured on the job in B.C. every year, with serious injuries remaining steady at about 800 annually. 'Over the past five years, 34 young workers have tragically lost their lives due to workplace incidents,' says Angelique Prince, director of prevention programs and services at WorkSafeBC. While Kulai was hurt in an industrial setting, Prince says most injuries last year were in service-sector jobs, with 1,282 claims to WorkSafeBC, followed by construction (1,063 claims) and retail (492 claims). 'Young workers are highly vulnerable to workplace injuries,' says Prince. 'Inexperience, inadequate training and supervision, and unfamiliarity with workplace hazards can all increase the risk of injury — especially when workers don't feel empowered to ask questions or raise safety concerns.' 'If there's anything I can do to reduce the numbers of those injuries,' says Kulai, 'I'll do it.' Kulai recently decided to tell his story, with kids like his own top of mind, in a video for WorkSafeBC. 'It was an emotional ride, but I was happy with how it turned out, and have been getting good feedback,' he says. His key message to young workers: 'There are guidelines and procedures in place to protect you, and if you don't follow them, bad things can happen.' The worst thing a young employee can do is try to look 'cool' for his bosses. 'If there's anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, bring it up with your supervisors.' Kulai knows it can be uncomfortable to raise safety concerns, and that questioning superiors is not always looked upon favourably. 'But there's no reason to ever compromise your safety — ever.' 'Every worker in B.C. has the right to refuse unsafe work,' says Prince. 'The first step of course is to talk to your supervisor and let them know a task feels unsafe or makes you uncomfortable.' Deadlines, quotas, trying to get the work done quickly to impress the boss? 'If you get hurt, none of that stuff matters,' says Kulai. More WorkSafeBC resources are available: Advice for new and young workers , how to ask questions about safety, and support for employers on their responsibilities and how to train new employees. jruttle@
Global News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
WorkSafeBC should issue refunds due to $2 billion surplus, CFIB says
A B.C. business group is calling for WorkSafeBC's huge surplus to be refunded to the businesses who have paid into it. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says WorkSafeBC is sitting on a surplus of $2 billion, which is actually above its funding target. The federation wants WorkSafeBC to follow the lead of ICBC and BC Hydro and return some of that surplus to ratepayers. 'We know that other provinces, such as Ontario, Manitoba, have been able to keep rates stable and return funds back to the employers that paid into it,' Kailth Nanayakkara with the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses told Global News. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Manitoba just announced $122 million in rebates. Ontario's announced a combined $4 billion while keeping rates stable and lower than B.C.'s' 2:07 New WorkSafe tips, gratuities rules criticized by hospitality industry However, WorkSafeBC says the surplus allows it to keep rates low and stable. Story continues below advertisement 'The WorkSafe board has worked very, very hard to maintain predictability and stability in the WorkSafe premiums over the last number of years,' Jennifer Whiteside, minister of labour for B.C. said. 'And in fact, those premiums haven't changed since 2018 and they are lower now than they were in 2014.' In 2017, the B.C. Liberal government said it was planning to return those surplus funds to employers but that did not go through as the BC NDP won the provincial election.
