Four companies must pay five-figure sum in total
Four British Columbia employers have been fined for fall protection violations in the workplace.
Lalli Development (2011) Ltd. was fined $5,000 as it violated fall protection rules at a building under construction in Vancouver.
During an inspection, WorkSafeBC found a worker installing windows near the leading edge of a fourth-floor balcony. There was no fall protection in place, exposing the worker to a fall risk of about 12.2 m (40 ft.).
“The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a high-risk violation. The firm also failed to ensure staircases had continuous handrails. These were both repeated violations,” said WorkSafeBC.
WorkSafeBC also charged Matthew Nicholas Tremblay/Assured Quality Roofing and Renos $2,500.00 for violations it committed while working at a house under construction in Parksville.
The agency inspected the site and observed two workers on the 10:12 sloped roof. The workers were wearing fall protection harnesses but were not connected to lifelines. No other form of fall protection was in place, exposing the workers to a fall risk of about 7.3 m (24 ft.).
“The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a repeated and high-risk violation,” according to WorkSafeBC.
Magnum Tree Service Ltd. was also fined $2,500. This firm was removing trees on a residential lot when WorkSafeBC inspected the worksite in response to an incident where a tree being felled struck an adjacent occupied house, causing significant damage.
The agency determined the hinge wood that was opposite the tree's lean had failed, causing the tree to rotate and fall in the direction of the house. WorkSafeBC also observed other trees felled on the lot were close to an active roadway and no traffic control system was in place.
“The firm failed to ensure trees being felled maintained sufficient holding wood, a high-risk violation. The firm also failed to use effective traffic control if trees being felled created hazards for road users. These were both repeated violations,” it said.
Lastly, 1057748 B.C. Ltd./B & K Contracting was charged $2,500. This firm's worksite was a residential construction site in West Kelowna. WorkSafeBC inspected the site and observed two workers on a work platform on a non-compliant scaffold.
No fall protection system was in place, exposing the workers to a fall risk greater than 6.1 m (20 ft.). The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a high-risk violation.
Previously, 0568677 British Columbia Ltd., Kalan Constructions Ltd., Rainbow Siding Ltd., Global Gutters Ltd., Online Constructors Ltd. and AM PM Landscaping & Tree Service Ltd. were also charged for fall protection violations.
