The board of directors of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako (RDBN) has passed a motion to immediately close all re-use sheds until “a safe solution is found.”
Due to a number of troubling incidents directly affecting staff and public health and safety, re-use sheds located at all regional district solid waste management facilities will be closed immediately.
The latest incidents at the re-use sheds that caused the greatest concern for the board of directors include:
• Over 100 used hypodermic needles were found in boxes mixed in with children’s toys;
• Live ammunition was found in a brown cassette tape brief case;
• Prescription drugs were left in a box;
• Reports have been made regarding members of the public urinating and defecating behind a re-use shed;
• A dirty diaper was found thrown in the corner of a re-use shed.
“Unfortunately, the manner in which the re-use sheds are currently being operated is not working and is posing serious health and safety risks for RDBN staff,” says RDBN.
According to the RDBN, investigations are being conducted regarding alternative re-use programs and economically viable solutions to address the health and safety concerns associated with operation of the re-use sheds.
Further, the board of directors has directed staff to develop bylaws that would ban salvaging activities at solid waste facilities. The RDBN says that although signage and barriers have been utilized to try to stop people from accessing the stacked wood and metal piles, some members of the public continue to place themselves and others at risk by climbing the piles to salvage materials.
According to the RDBN, the incidents occurring at the re-use sheds and ongoing salvaging activities have serious legal liability implications to the RDBN taxpayer.
The RDBN plans to hold public meetings in the next few months to provide additional information about the closure.