Occupational hygienists from Saskatchewan Labour's Occupational Health and Safety Division attended the school on September 1, 2004, to determine what caused the incident. While air and dust samples were taken, the source remained a mystery until a custodian discovered that one of the gym's metal halide lamps had a crack in its outer shell.

Metal halide lamps, also used in hydroponics growing, emit ultraviolet light. As with other artificial UV emitters, such as mercury vapour lamps or welding equipment, direct exposure can be hazardous. If used to light large areas, in this case a gymnasium, the lamps are typically enclosed by a protective lens or shell, which shields exposure to the harmful UV rays. While some models are self-extinguishing in the event of damage to the protective lens, the lamps in use at McNaughton High School were not. According to Saskatchewan Labour, the damaged halide lamp was emitting enough ultraviolet light to burn and irritate the exposed skin of the teachers sitting in the area. The result was akin to what would occur were the teachers to have sat in the sun for the day.

As a result of the incident, Saskatchewan Labour has announced that its Occupational Health and Safety Division will issue a hazard alert to warn employers of the potential hazards that may arise in using halide lamps.

Whistle-blowing Legislation Comes Into Effect on September 15

Bill C – 13, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (Capital Markets Fraud and Evidence-gathering) received Royal Assent in the House of Commons on March 29, 2004 and becomes effective September 15. The bill was put forward as a response to corporate scandals in the United States and the resulting loss of investor confidence in capital markets. Under new provisions, it will become an offense for an employer to take action against an employee if the intent is to prevent the employee from providing information to a law enforcement agency concerning an offence the employee believes has been committed by the employer. It will also be an offense to attempt to retaliate against the employees.

Ban on Hiring Family as Caregivers Violates Human Rights, Tribunal Rules

The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has ruled that the B.C. Ministry of Health's refusal to fund family members as paid caregivers, under the "Choices in Supports for Independent Living" program, constitutes unlawful discrimination on the basis of family status and disability. As a result, the Tribunal awarded the father of a severely disabled woman compensation for lost wages, and damages to both for injury to dignity, feelings, and self-respect.

The rest of this report is available at:
http://www.lancasterhouse.com.

Canadian Labour Congress Debates Industrial Policy

In preparation for the economic policy debate at its next convention, the CLC convened an Industrial Policy Conference in Ottawa on September 22-23. The IBEW had representation at this conference along with many other Labour Leaders from across Canada, MP’s from various parties and high profile speakers. From information received, the delegates realize that together with the government, business and labour, we must be pro-active in preparing Canada’s Industrial Policy in the future. Some other countries with low wage standards are gearing up to become the largest trading partners with the United States. China and India for example will be building and exporting cars to North America, competing with North American production.

It was a great move initiated by the CLC to get all these players in the same room to discuss Canada’s Industrial Policy for the future while looking at a global economy. Some of the influencing factors are: energy, training, natural resources, advanced technology. Canada represents 2% of the world economy and 1.5% of the world population. It is very important that we do a better job of understanding our future. How can the Labour movement assist in developing a future industrial policy? Stay tuned for more at the CLC Convention in 2005.

Canadian Health Coalition’s Analysis of the First Ministers’ Health Care Agreement

First Minister’s Health Care Agreement Report Card – September 2004 (see enclosure).