Langley Advance August 31 2010

Page 1

LangleyAdvance Your community newspaper since 1931

Ripe for the picking pg A4

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Your source for local sports, news, weather, and entertainment: www.langleyadvance.com

Audited circulation: 41,100 – 28 pages

2008 mushroom barn tragedy

Charges laid in farm deaths The deaths of three men and severe injuries to two others are answered with charges. by Matthew Claxton mclaxton@langleyadvance.com

Highest Price Paid for Gold!

KEY LARGO Jewellery & Loans Ltd. 20369 56 Ave., Langley (Behind the Baseline Pub) 03237301

604-534-8845 O P E N 7 D AY S A W E E K

SELLING LANGLEY ONE YARD AT A TIME

Four people and two companies have been charged in the horrific mushroom barn tragedy that killed three workers and left two more severely brain damaged in Langley two years ago. The provincial Criminal Justice Branch announced 29 charges under the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations on Monday. “There are no criminal charges,” said Neil MacKenzie, a provincial Crown spokesperson.

Charged are Ha Qua Truong, Vy Tri Truong, Van Thi Truong, and Thinh Huu Doan, along with A-1 Mushroom Substratum Ltd. and H.V. Truong Ltd. The four individuals are all charged as directors of the companies, or as supervisors of the workers. The long list of charges relate to general health and safety rules – both companies are charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of workers – along with more specific faults. There are charges for not creating occupational health and safety plans, for not fixing hazardous workplace conditions, for failing to maintain a workplace to ensure safety, and for failing to inform workers about hazards. A number of the charges relate to a failure to inform employees

about or train them for confined space incidents. On Sept. 5, 2008, an employee collapsed in a small pump room in a mushroom manure processing facility in the 23700 block of 16th Avenue. Other men tried to rescue the victim, and were also overcome by an apparent build-up of toxic gas, or a lack of oxygen. Two men were severely braindamaged, and families were left to struggle economically without their primary bread winners. No date is yet set for a trial. All the charges have the same penalty, according to MacKenzie: up to six months in jail, and/or a maximum fine of $618,730 for each charge. The investigation into the incident took more than 18 months. “It’s very likely the largest or

most complex,” that Worksafe BC has ever undertaken, said Worksafe spokesperson Donna Freeman. Since the day of the incident, mushroom composting has been halted at the site. However, other work has gone on, including mushroom-growing. This mushroom farm was notorious even before the incident. Neighbours were upset by foul smells, and Langley Township was to take it to court the day of the fatal incident. After the incident, provincial environmental authorities investigated after waste escaped from a containment facility, apparently spilling into the headwaters of the Little Campbell River. • A court document detailing the 29 charges can be found online at www.langleyadvance.com

International Festival

Call

KEITH SETTER for a

FREE Market Evaluation 604-533-3491

Welcoming the world Global cultures mixed at the Langley Events Centre this weekend. The Langley International Festival Society marked the event’s 10th anniversary this year by appealing to all the senses. The many people attending were greeted with the smells of international cuisine, colourful displays from countless cultures, music from instruments maybe new to many ears, and hands-on activities for kids of all ages. The festival brought together many ethnic and cultural groups from around the region, such as the Irish Heritage Society, which sponsored the 12-team mini-soccer tournament. For its 10th year, organizers moved the festival from Langley City to the Langley Events Centre property to allow for more displays, more activities, and more people to attend.

Treeland Realty

Wholesale Diamond Prices

Troy Landreville/Langley Advance

Engagement Ring Specialist

08209851

#370 - 20202 - 66th Ave. (across from London Drugs) Langley 604-539-7720

Those who strolled into the Taiwanese tent (above) found quite an elaborate and colourful display during the Langley International Festival. A balloon animal brought a smile to the face of four-year-old Alina Wong, who attended the festival events at Willoughby Community Park over the weekend. Children’s entertainer Mr. Flowers brought the balloons to life. The festival ran Saturday and Sunday, and featured music, food, and vendors from across the globe.

Watch www.langleyadvance.com for coverage of Monday’s Mufford overpass information session.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Langley Advance August 31 2010 by Glacier Community Publishing - Issuu