Four employers must pay five-figure sum in total
Four British Columbia employers have been ordered to pay $28,750 for asbestos-related violations in the workplace.
Leader Hazmat Ltd. was fined $20,000 after it conducted asbestos abatement at a house in Surrey slated for demolition, and issued a clearance letter indicating all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) had been contained or removed.
When WorkSafeBC inspected the site, however, it observed a waste bin of uncontained debris from drywall, an identified ACM. WorkSafeBC issued a stop-work order.
A subsequent hazardous materials assessment identified additional ACMs remaining in the building.
“The firm failed to ensure all hazardous materials were safely contained or removed, a repeated violation, and failed to have a qualified person ensure that all hazardous materials had been contained or removed,” said WorkSafeBC. “These were both high-risk violations.”
ENK Construction Corp., meanwhile, was asked to pay $5,000 for violations it committed while conducting asbestos abatement at a pre-1990 house, also in Surrey, slated for demolition.
WorkSafeBC observed one worker on the 4:12 sloped roof, with no form of fall protection in place. This exposed the worker to a fall risk of about 3.7 m (12 ft.), according to WorkSafeBC. Also, the worker was removing flashing mastic, an identified asbestos-containing material (ACM), without the use of a respirator or protective clothing.
“The firm failed to ensure the necessary precautions were in place to protect workers before allowing work that would disturb ACMs, a repeated violation, and failed to ensure workers at risk of exposure to asbestos were adequately trained and instructed in the work procedures to be followed. The firm also failed to ensure fall protection was used,” according to the agency. “These were all high-risk violations.”
Meanwhile, Tuffco Constructions Ltd. was fined $2,500 when it conducted asbestos abatement at a house in Coquitlam slated for demolition.
WorkSafeBC inspected the site after the firm issued a clearance letter stating all asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) had been removed. However, it observed debris from drywall, an identified ACM, throughout the house and property. A stop-work order was issued.
The firm failed to safely contain or remove all hazardous materials, and failed to ensure a qualified person confirmed that hazardous materials had been safely contained or removed. These were both repeated violations, according to the government agency. The firm also failed to prevent the spread of asbestos dust and debris to other work areas, and failed to ensure that the written procedures of the qualified person were followed. These were all high-risk violations.
Lastly, Delta Hazmat Ltd. was fined $1,250 for violations it committed when it was conducting pre-demolition asbestos abatement at a house in Burnaby.
The firm was conducting pre-demolition asbestos abatement at a house. WorkSafeBC inspected the site and observed that abatement preparation work, including poly sheeting installation and interior fixture removal, had been completed prior to the start date on the notice of project (NOP) issued to WorkSafeBC.
“The firm failed to notify WorkSafeBC in writing of changes in its NOP, a repeated violation,” said the agency.
Previously, 1230635 B.C. Ltd./Elemental Asbestos and Mold Removal, Sutton-Max Realty & Property Management, Focus Remediation Ltd., Craig's Bakery Ltd., Onni Contracting Ltd., Tede Construction Ltd., Leader Hazmat Ltd., HLC Holdings Inc. and Sunrick Development Ltd. were also fined over asbestos-related violations in the workplace.
