Worker operating excavator struck gas line, resulting in a leak
Entreprises Bastech pleaded guilty on Sept. 26, 2017 to a charge under Regulation 91-191 subsection 180(2) of New Brunswick’s Occupational Health and Safety Act for “failing to ensure adequate operating procedures was used by employees working within 600mm of underground utility lines or piping.”
Enterprises Bastech was subcontracted by MacArthur’s Paving & Construction who were contracted to do asphalt resurfacing, curb and gutter replacement and sidewalk construction work on residential streets for the Town of Riverview. On May 28, 2015, an employee of Entreprises Bastech was operating an excavator, attempting to remove a curb on MacDowell Avenue in Riverview, when he dug too close to an Enbridge Gas pipeline and struck the gas line, resulting in a gas leak. Although no employees sustained injuries, this incident could have resulted in a fatality or injuries to nearby employees and residents. Entreprises Bastech was fined $5,000, plus a $1,000 victim surcharge.
The same incident resulted in a charge to the Town of Riverview for failing “to take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of any person having access to or using that place of employment or part thereof.” They pleaded guilty and were fined $4,000 plus a victim surcharge of $800.
Source: WorkSafeNB
