SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Although it's illegal to ride in the box of a pick-up truck, council might amend a bylaw to allow city staff to do it while watering downtown trees and plants.

The highway traffic bylaw already includes exemptions allowing road construction and maintenance workers to ride in the box of a truck or on the outside of a vehicle, but it doesn't apply to city staff watering plants and trees.

The rationale for amending the bylaw is that it will save staff a considerable amount of time. According to the Municipal Services Committee agenda, staff currently have to ride in the cab of a truck with a seatbelt on from tree to tree. At each stop, they then have to get out of the vehicle, climb into the box, water the tree and get back in the cab, repeating the same process up to a dozen times a day.

To make riding in the box a safe practice for workers, the city would upgrade one of its pick-up trucks with a guard rail, a non-slip floor and safety belts. Mayor Gord Van Tighem said he isn't sure how much the safety equipment will cost.

City councillor David Wind said despite the safety measures, he doesn't support having anyone ride in the box of a truck.

"It's a very dangerous practice and if anything, the city should be setting an example of safety for everybody," he said. "If people see city workers riding in the back of pick-up trucks, my fear is that they may equate that with an indication, 'Well maybe it's OK to ride in the back of a pick-up truck,' and I would want the city to be setting the example and discouraging such practice."

The territory's Motor Vehicle Act allows municipalities the authority to regulate when it is appropriate for a person to be riding on the outside of a vehicle. The city is also consulting with the Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission.

If passed by council, the amendment would apply only to city staff. And if a private company wanted the same treatment, the city would have to first ensure all of the appropriate safety practices and equipment were in place, said Dennis Marchiori, director of public safety.

City councillor Shelagh Montgomery said she is comfortable with the amendment, especially considering people ride on the back of garbage trucks every day.

"We see that all the time," she said. "I think the rationale provided for saving time on the city's part while not putting city staff into unreasonable danger is acceptable, certainly given that the vehicle has been outfitted with safety restraints."

Coun. Lydia Bardak agreed.

"With the safety guardrails, the harnesses and the non-slip flooring, I think they'll be able to do a much better job and be safe about it."

Councillors will vote on the amendment at a future council meeting.

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