As most big skilled trades projects across the province are scaling back or completely stopping, the West White Rose in Argentia is about to double up on its workforce and that has many people worried.

Darrin King, Executive Director of Trades NL, says the crew at that project is about to go from 600 to about 1500 due to concrete pouring at the site.

King says amid concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic that is very troubling. With messages around hygiene and social distancing he doesn’t know how they are going to maintain hundreds of workers on the one job site.

King notes that ultimately the decision rests upon the shoulders of the employer, Husky, but they have voiced their concerns over worker safety.

Trades NL has asked the province to look at the situation. They either want government to give the go ahead for the work, or to give direction to Husky to do something about it. He maintains that they welcome the jobs but ultimately right now their number one concern is the health and safety of the workers.