The United Food and Commercial Workers Union is optimistic a Coroners inquest will be called into the death of two farmer workers near Ayton.
National Co-ordinator, Stan Raper says the chief coroner of the province Doctor Andrew McCallum, responded to the Unions’ call for an inquest within two days of their request.
Raper says the Chief Coroner says he is awaiting the results from the Ministry of Labour investigation and the coroners’ autopsy report before deciding whether to call an inquest into the deaths.
36 year old Ralston White and 44 year old Paul Roach died while trying to fix a pump for an apple cider vat at Filsingers’ Organic Foods and Orchards.
The Jamaican farm workers were overcome by fumes on September 10th.
Raper says the union wants more regulations in place concerning confined spaces, unguarded equipment and other issues affecting farm workers.
The United Food and Commercial workers Union has also been fighting for more education on the issue of confined spaces and the dangers they create.
Stan Raper says they have also been lobbying the Minister of Labour about the issue, saying the province does not have to wait for a coroners inquest before bringing in new legislation.
If the Chief coroner for the province does order an inquest, it likely won’t be held until next spring.
