In the 1980s the B.C. premier froze all hiring in the province. The increasing burden of my work as a public health law enforcement officer became untenable. I wrote my superior that I could no longer assume the responsibility for catastrophic outcomes due to the workload. As a consequence, the minister of health approved the hiring of a half-time position.
We have experienced a parallel circumstance with the recent air crash in the US. In my view, the controller responsible should have advised his superior that the dual role imposed was untenable. The superior should in turn have responded by turning away approaching aircraft and postponing take-offs to accommodate staffing levels. This disaster proves that each American worker must put safety first in decisions they make that are within their control.
Daniel Moreau
Sidney
