Two Site C contractors have been fined by WorkSafeBC for what the agency calls “repeated and high risk violations” at their work sites.
The fines were imposed Oct. 4 to both Cantex-Okanagan Construction Ltd. and Thompson Bros. Construction following inspections at the Lynx Creek bridge site, according to WorkSafeBC.
In one instance, WorkSafeBC says Cantex-Okanagan "did not have effective dust control in place" at its crusher plant, and that “heavy machinery on site lacked effective safeguarding.”
In another instance, WorkSafe says Thompson Bros., the prime contractor at the site, “was not conducting safety inspections frequently enough to identify hazards as they develop.”
WorkSafe says a site inspection found that "measures to control respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, such as water spray, were not implemented” and that a dust exposure control plan, “did not sufficiently address the risks associated with RCS.”
“The firm failed to ensure that regular inspections were made at intervals to prevent the development of unsafe working conditions, and failed to ensure an [exposure control plan] that met all requirements was developed by a qualified person and implemented,” the agency reported.
“These were both high-risk violations. Furthermore, as prime contractor of a multiple-employer workplace, the firm failed to establish and maintain a system of regulatory compliance, a repeated violation. “
Cantex was fined $100,729.06, and Thompson Bros. was fined $46,811.69.
