Government workplace safety video depicts graphic scenes
11/12/08
BY JAMES JEFFREY
Red Deer Express
In an attempt to raise awareness for workplace safety, the Alberta government has launched an $850,000 web-exclusive ad campaign depicting hypothetical workplace accidents, all of which are terrifyingly graphic.
The six short videos, which went online Oct. 29, are aimed towards young workers, and each demonstrates an entirely average situation gone entirely wrong. So much so that the victims of said situations are left bleeding, mutilated, and screaming hysterically.
Dave MacLean, principal of Hunting Hills High School, feels the ads are appropriate.
“Workplace safety is a concern; a lot of younger people aren’t aware of workplace dangers,” says MacLean, who believes the content does a good job of grabbing attention.
After watching the videos, MacLean says he would have no problem showing them to the targeted age group—15 to 19-year-olds.
The Red Deer Catholic School Division has not yet made a decision regarding whether or not they will show the videos to their students. Currently, their administration is reviewing the videos and will make their decision at a later date.
But, although consuming, the graphic content isn’t the only thing deemed controversial.
Gil McGowan, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), has nothing against the gore. The overall message, on the other hand, is insulting to him.
“After watching the videos you’re left with the impression that the reason for the accidents is worker stupidity,” he argues. “That’s deeply insulting.”
According to McGowan, there needs to be more emphasis placed on the faults of employers and the government.
He argues the government has failed young workers yet again, in that no attempt was made to demonstrate how workplace accidents could generally be traced back to the employer’s lack of inadequate training, safety equipment and supervision.
The AFL president believes the Alberta government is allergic to telling workers they have rights.
“They’re afraid to point the finger at their supporters in the business community,” he says.
Barrie Harrison, on the other hand, would disagree.
“It’s rhetoric that has no basis,” he says in response to the AFL’s complaints.
Spokesperson for Occupational Health and Safety, Harrison notes the AFL hit the nail on the head in one regard: “workplace safety is everyone’s responsibility.
“However,” he said, “the videos aren’t implying it’s just the employee’s responsibility.
“We conduct over 14,000 surprise inspections on employers each year,” he says. According to Harrison, the Alberta government has fined employers $4.6-million this year—already up from last year.
“It isn’t about placing specific blame,” he says. “We’re trying to get young Albertans to think more about workplace safety.”
According to the Association of Worker’s Compensation Boards of Canada, more than 50,700 workers under the age of 24 lost time from work after injuring themselves on the job in 2006. Another 51 died.
Along with the videos, the website offers questions workers can ask their employer, and tips on how to prevent the accidents depicted.
The website is www.bloodylucky.ca
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