WORKSAFEBC recently imposed several penalties on three employers in Surrey for high-risk and repeated violations.
* Nanak Siding Ltd.
Worksite: Surrey
Current amount: $5,000
Date imposed: January 26
This firm’s worksite was a two-storey residential building under construction. WorkSafeBC inspected the site and observed two workers performing siding installation activities from a skirt roof. No fall protection was in place, exposing the workers to a fall risk of about 5 metres (16.5 feet). The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a repeated and high-risk violation.
* Icon Concrete and Placing Ltd.
Worksite: Surrey
Current amount: $5,000
Date imposed: January 26
WorkSafeBC inspected this firm’s residential construction site and observed a worker standing on a formwork wall, placing concrete being pumped from a pumper. No fall protection was in place, exposing the worker to a fall risk of about 3.7 metres (12 feet). The firm failed to ensure fall protection was used, a high-risk violation. The firm also failed to ensure suitable work platforms were provided for work at elevations, a repeated violation.
* TJL Construction Ltd.
Worksite: Surrey
Current amount: $2,500
Date imposed: February 14
This firm was working on the construction of a two-storey house. WorkSafeBC observed one worker at the leading edge of the sloped roof. No fall protection was in place, exposing the worker to a fall risk of about 4.4 metres (14.5 feet). The firm failed to ensure fall protection was in place, a repeated and high-risk violation.
- Background on Fall Protections:
- Falls from heights, even relatively low elevations, can result in serious injuries.
- Falls from elevation continue to drive the serious injury rate in construction.
- The proper use of fall protection equipment — in addition to planning, supervision, and training — can reduce or eliminate the risk of falling.
- The Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requires workers to use fall protection systems when they could fall from a height of 3 metres (10 feet) or more, or where a fall from a lesser height could result in serious injury.