The employer connected to a deadly crash that killed three B.C. farm workers was briefed about vehicle safety rules — including the use of seatbelts — two weeks prior to Wednesday's accident near Abbotsford, B.C.
But the vehicles the company uses to transport farm workers, including the vehicle involved in the deadly crash, were not inspected, a WorkSafe B.C. spokesman said Thursday.
The passenger van involved in the crash is part of an ongoing police investigation.
An RCMP officer at the accident scene said it appeared some of the passengers were not wearing seatbelts. He said he could not confirm reports the bus contained wooden benches without seatbelts.
WorkSafe B.C. spokesman Scott McCloy said an inspection report dated Feb. 22 says the farm workers' employer, RHA Enterprises Ltd., of Chilliwack, received an official document outlining the rules regarding the safe transport of workers.
"The relevance of the report is the fact that we have been involved with this employer," he said. "The employer was well aware of its responsibilities with regard to the safe transport of workers."
Officials at RHA Enterprises could not be reached for comment and officials at Rainbow Greenhouse in the Chilliwack area did not return phone calls
Farm workers who were at Rainbow Greenhouse where the inspection occurred were also briefed about safety regulations during the inspection, but the company vehicle was not checked because it wasn't at the job site, said McCloy.
The WorkSafe report said drivers and supervisors must ensure "seatbelts will be worn in the vehicles when in motion."
The report also said supervisors and drivers must correct all unsafe conditions immediately and "report all defective vehicles or equipment at workplace to your supervisor."
The report did not record any violation orders.
Three women died when the van carrying 17 people, including the driver, crashed into two dump trucks on the Trans-Canada Highway and landed on its roof on a concrete divider.
The Opposition New Democrats accused the government Thursday of ignoring official seatbelt warnings from a previous farm workers accident in 2003.
Mohinder Kaur Sunar died July 13, 2003, when a van carrying 19 people, including the driver, blew a rear tire on the Trans-Canada Highway and rolled.
Ms. Sunar was on her way to pick berries in the Fraser Valley when the accident occurred.
A coroner's report recommended the government review the Motor Vehicle Act with particular focus on clarifying the rules surrounding the use of seatbelts for passengers in vans and buses.
Worksafe also recommended a review of seatbelt use in vans and buses.
NDP Leader Carole James said the government did not act on the recommendations.
"It is shameful that this government has ignored the coroner's report," she said. "How many more tragic accidents do farm workers have to endure before this government will finally, finally act on their behalf?'
Solicitor-General John Les said the Opposition should not be linking Wednesday's accident to past accidents.
He said the current accident is under investigation and its circumstances will become known once the investigation is complete.
