Worker sustained electrical shock injury
Peace River Hydro Partners has been fined $662,102 by WorkSafeBC. A worker at this firm's work site in Fort St. John, B.C. accessed the main circuit breaker in a high-voltage electrical cabinet on the firm's tunnelling equipment. An electrical discharge occurred, and the worker sustained an electrical shock injury.
WorkSafeBC inspected the site and observed that the main electrical breaker extensions on the exterior cabinet door were not functioning, the de-energization switches had been circumvented, and the main breaker switch-box isolation covers were in disrepair.
In addition, WorkSafeBC determined that it was a standard work practice at this site to access the main circuit breaker without following lockout procedures. A stop-use order was issued for the tunnelling equipment.
The firm failed to ensure its equipment was capable of safely performing its functions, and failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. These were both repeated violations. The firm also failed to effectively isolate and control hazardous energy sources, a high-risk violation.
Source: WorkSafeBC
