WorkSafe BC is cracking down on construction companies who fail to use fall protection.
Three companies working in Fort St. John have been fined for violations that took place between February and April.
According to WorkSafe BC regulations, an employer must ensure that a fall protection system, such as a harness, is used when work is being done at a place from which a fall of three metres or more may occur.
Tony Delaurier Construction
In February, a worker from Tony Delaurier Construction was observed by WorkSafe installing roof trusses on a two-storey house under construction.
The worker was standing on the top plate of an exterior wall and no fall protection system was in use, according to Worksafe BC.
“The worker was exposed to a risk of falling five metres,” WorkSafe said.
“The firm knowingly, or with reckless disregard, failed to ensure that a fall protection system was used.
"This was a repeated and high-risk violation,” said WorkSafe.
The fine issued was $2,500.
Kona Carpentry
In March, WorkSafe observed an employee of Kona Carpentry installing roof trusses on a two-storey residential complex in Fort St. John.
The worker was standing on the top plate of an exterior wall without any fall protection in place.
WorkSafe reports that the worker was at risk of falling five metres. This was also a repeated and high-risk violation.
The fine was $8,931.
Cowboy Construction
In April, two workers from Cowboy Construction were observed standing on top of a wall installing fascia board onto roof trusses while framing a two-storey townhouse complex in Fort St. John.
According to WorkSafe, a representative of the firm was on site supervising the work.
“Neither worker was using personal fall protection gear, even though it was available at the site,” WorkSafe noted. “No other form of fall protection was in place. The workers were exposed to a risk of falling 6.4 metres.”
The firm’s failure to ensure that fall protection was used was a repeated and high-risk violation, WorkSafe says.
The fine was $2,500.
All three fines were repeated and high-risk violations. “That would mean that enforcement has taken place a warning letter, and order or a penalty in the past," WorkSafeBC spokesperson Trish Knight Chernecki explained. "High-risk is determined [by] concern that current procedure at this employer could cause injury.”
Chernecki said fines levied by WorkSafe are based on the size of an employer’s payroll.
“WorkSafeBC policy also provides that, in certain circumstances, penalties can depart from amounts based on payroll,” she added. “Penalties are greater for violations that are high risk, those committed wilfully or with reckless disregard, or those where a worker has died or suffered a serious injury.”
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