Calls for construction safety at “Bentall Four” memorial
Posted January 7, 2011 1:56 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – An emotional memorial service was held in Downtown Vancouver today for the four construction workers who plunged 36-storeys to their death, 30 years ago on this day.
They are called the “Bentall Four.” On January 7 of 1981, Gunther Couvreux, Donald Davis, Yrjo Mitrunen and Brian Stevenson were standing on the beam when it gave way, sending all four of them down to their death.
Thirty years later, the BC Yukon Trades Council says the numbers don’t lie. Construction deaths dropped when safety inspections got up. But, the BC Federation of Labour is calling for even more inspections, while WorkSafe BC says that more must be done to help workers who are dealing with occupational disease.
They say today’s memorial is a way to honour the “Bentall Four” and their families, who were standing in the front row clutching flowers today.
