San Group’s Port Alberni sawmill has previously been inspected by WorkSafeBC 11 times, with one resulting in a fine of nearly $80,000.
WorkSafeBC would not confirm if it is involved in the current investigation into the Port Alberni company’s use of temporary foreign workers.
However, it did say it had conducted 11 inspections between last year and this year, which resulted in 27 corrective orders and one fine.
The $78,721.53 fine came in October after an employee sustained serious injuries, resulting in multiple fingers needing to be amputated because safety guards were missing and other equipment was not properly locked out.
San Group says it is appealing the fine, saying the injuries were the result of the employee not properly following the company’s safety procedures.
San Group has recently come into the spotlight after allegations of human trafficking were made by the City of Port Alberni after temporary foreign workers from Vietnam left the company.
The building where 15 workers were living reportedly did not have running water and the men were allegedly forced to wash dishes in a small trickle of a stream out back and drink from it.
San Group has since said it plans to sue the City of Port Alberni for the damage to its reputation from the allegations.
With files from CHEK’s Skye Ryan, Adam Chan, Kori Sidaway, Kendall Hanson
READ PREVIOUS:
- JULY 3: Port Alberni company denies ‘human trafficking’ allegations after Vietnamese workers leave
- JULY 4: Port Alberni temporary foreign workers await their fate as government officials meet
- JULY 4: New details emerge in case of alleged human trafficking in Port Alberni
- JULY 5: Port Alberni mill administration believes third party involved with migrant workers before their arrival
- JULY 6: Company plans to sue City of Port Alberni following allegations surrounding migrant workers
Laura Brougham
