'The firm did not adequately identify the hazard of dangerous trees or assess the risks they presented to workers'
One British Columbia employer is now facing penalties after one of its workers was fatally injured in the workplace.
WorkSafeBC has fined Crescent Bay Construction Ltd. $8,995.26 after one of its workers was struck by a tree.
The incident happened at a work site in Beaton.
The tree fell from a cliff face above the work area, said WorkSafeBC. The worker sustained fatal injuries from the incident.
WorkSafeBC's investigation determined the firm did not adequately identify the hazard of dangerous trees or assess the risks they presented to workers.
“The firm failed to conduct a dangerous tree assessment by a qualified person before work began and failed to ensure the health and safety of all workers at the worksite, both high-risk violations,” said the government agency.
According to a CBC News report, WorkSafeBC is in the process of checking the reports for privacy concerns before it can release any more information.
"It is important to note that no penalty amount or sentence can compensate for the loss of life," the agency said via email, according to the report.
Meanwhile, WorkSafeBC told CTV News that the incident report related to the case “is in the process of being redacted” and would only be released if compelled through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the publication reported.
The regulator also did not specify the date of the incident nor the approximate age of the worker.
The B.C. Coroners Service is still investigating the death, and a spokesperson for the agency told CTV News that details about the victim and the date of the fatality would not be released until the investigation had concluded.
