Canadian Safety Reporter

October 2017

Focuses on occupational health and safety issues at a strategic level. Designed for employers, HR managers and OHS professionals, it features news, case studies on best practices and practical tips to ensure the safest possible working environment.

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3 Canadian HR Reporter, a Thomson Reuters business 2017 News | October 2017 | CSR Trucking company sends driver packing after multiple safety violations Driver's repeated breaches of safety protocol put company in unsatisfactory rating with government regulators, clients BY JEFFREY R. SMITH A BRITISH COLUMBIA adju- dicator has upheld the dismissal of a truck driver who accumu- lated a significant number safety protocol breaches in a relatively short period of time. Francois Lachaine was a truck driver who started working for Casey Transport, a long-haul trucking company specializing in refrigerated products based in Abbotsford, B.C., in 2006. He started out as part of a two-per- son team that drove trucks filled with cargo back-and-forth be- tween B.C. and Quebec. He was considered a hard-working driv- er and took pride in his work, with one co-worker remarking that "it's a passion for him. He is a machine. He eats asphalt." Casey Transport was subject to National Safety Code stan- dards that imposed duties and limitations on the conduct of drivers and trucking companies to ensure the safe operation of commercial vehicles. Drivers were required to keep logbooks to ensure compliance could be monitored and there were limits on how long drivers could drive before taking a rest. The code had a system of points which kept track of the safety perfor- mance of both drivers and the trucking companies. On May 7, 2013, Casey Trans- port issued a written warning to Lachaine for refuelling in loca- tions with higher fuel prices and not having maintenance pre-ap- proved. The next day, the com- pany issue him a second written warning for safety violations. This warning was for speeding (127 kph) on March 13, driving on a closed highway on April 19, and speeding again (136 kph) on May 7. The second warning stated that Lachaine must follow all legal speed limit regulations and "further infractions will not be tolerated and will result in further job action and possible termination." A short time later, the com- pany learned Lachaine had been speeding again (129 kph on May 20) and had submitted log sheets saying he was driving on two days for which he had already submitted log sheets showing he was off and resting. Lachaine was issued a written warning dated May 21 that falsified logs were illegal and against company policy. It once again said "further infraction will not be tolerated" and could result in termination. Driver > pg. 7

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