WorkSafeBC appealing B.C. Supreme Court asbestos decision

British Columbia’s Workers’ Compensation Board is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court decision that found two asbestos contractors not guilty of contempt of court.

Mike and Shawn Singh were accused of repeatedly and knowingly exposing workers to the deadly material and jeopardizing the health and safety of their employees, despite many warnings.

WorkSafeBC says it will ask the province’s appeal court to reconsider the judgment, which union leaders say threatens to undermine the province’s entire regulatory regime.

The B.C. Supreme Court found in 2013 the Singh’s company, Seattle Environmental Consulting Ltd., was in contempt of court for not adhering to protection rules and were fined a total of $15,000. The Singhs face hundreds of workplace violations dating back to 2007, with fines exceeding $200,000.

In the Feb. 26 ruling, Justice George Macintosh said the previous order was not clear, adding the regulations are too complex and that there is room for debate.

WorkSafeBC will be asking the British Columbia Court of Appeal for clarity regarding the scope of the court’s injunction powers and the ability of the court to enforce those powers.

~ with files from Canadian Press