August 2018 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC

September 6, 2018

These summaries of selected work-related incidents recently reported to WorkSafeBC may help you to prevent similar incidents.

See additional summaries online.

Injury Type: Head lacerations, suspected shoulder injury
Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-Aug	ID Number: 2018182170011
A worker was conducting siding activities from a scaffold platform about 17.5 feet high. The scaffold plank became dislodged from its supports, causing the worker to fall to grade.

Injury Type: Electrical burns (2 workers)
Core Activity: Siding, awning, or gutter installation, service, or repair
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018182170010
Two workers (one a young worker) were repositioning a non-self-supporting ladder (40 feet long, extended to 31 feet) when the ladder became unstable and fell backward onto a high-voltage conductor. The ladder then contacted the neutral line, causing the circuit to blow.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries (2 workers)
Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work
Location: Interior B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018160850017
Two workers connected to fall arrest systems fell when the temporary bracing supporting the newly installed trusses of a new commercial storage building failed due to high winds from a short-duration storm. The two workers rode the trusses to grade.

Injury Type: Dizziness
Core Activity: Excavation, or private landfill or transfer station operation
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018155400021
A garbage truck driver was advised of smoke emanating from a garbage bag in the rear containment area. The driver poked the smouldering bag with a hockey stick, releasing more smoke and an odour. The worker inhaled the vapour and became dizzy.

Injury Type: Head laceration
Core Activity: Structural concrete forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018166710016
Workers were assembling a concrete slab form when a worker stepped on an unsecured, unsupported piece of plywood. The plywood piece gave way and the worker fell 16 feet 8 inches to a balcony below.

Injury Type: Electric shock
Core Activity: Building demolition
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018182500006
A worker was having trouble with a slab saw. The worker approached a generator and was pointing at the pigtail power cord when it arced and shocked the worker.

Injury Type: Electrical burns
Core Activity: Electrical work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018161950005
A worker was installing power cables into an electrical switchboard panel when a grounding cable contacted 347/600-volt electrical equipment in an adjacent panel. An arc flash occurred, injuring the worker.

Injury Type: Close call
Core Activity: Power pole, powerline, or transmission line installation, service, or repair
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018165370025
A worker was installing a utility pole for security cameras. The worker was using a mechanical auger to create the hole for the pole and inadvertently punctured a 6-inch gas main. The utility owner and fire department attended, and the gas main was shut down.

Injury Type: Electric shock
Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work / Crane operation
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018173340006
As a mobile crane was flying a lift of dimensional lumber, its load line came within the limit of approach to a high-voltage power line. A worker who was holding onto the lumber felt a shock and immediately let go of the load.

Injury Type: Injury to leg
Core Activity: Structural concrete forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018114550032
A young worker operating a coil nail gun was shot by the gun.

Injury Type: Injury to leg
Core Activity: Drywalling or acoustic board installation
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018182500005
A worker was working from an extension ladder inside a home, patching some drywall near a skylight. The ladder kicked out and the worker fell about 3 metres to the floor.

Injury Type: Fractured arm, injury to leg
Core Activity: Framing or residential forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-May	ID Number: 2018165370023
A worker was descending a ladder when the ladder slid out, and the worker fell 9 to 10 feet to the plywood floor.

Injury Type: Fractured leg
Core Activity: Painting or wallpapering
Location: Interior B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-May	ID Number: 2018143950043
A worker was painting on a deck when a deck railing gave way and the worker fell about 10 feet to the ground.

Injury Type: Internal injury
Core Activity: Framing or residential forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Mar	ID Number: 2018166710009
A worker conducting framing activities fell about 12 feet from an unsecured scaffold plank.