Incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy.
Core Activity: Excavation operation / Gas utilities
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
While excavating to expose electrical services, an excavator struck and ruptured a 3-inch gas line. Natural gas was released into the atmosphere for two hours.
Injury Type: Crush injury to leg
Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
A worker was using a cutting torch to remove the lumber package press during the disassembly and removal of a moulder line. A telehandler was being used to support and lift the package press. Once freed, the press swung. The worker’s leg was caught between the press and a cement footing.
Injury Type: Close call
Core Activity: Pier, wharf, or dry dock construction or repair
Location: Northern B.C.
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
A barge-mounted crane was rotating to pick up a pile when the main block contacted the safety guard on the vibratory pile driver. The safety guard fell to the deck of the barge.
Injury Type: Close call
Core Activity: Blasting / Excavation operation
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
Following a controlled blast at a highway safety improvement project, blast rock struck and damaged a steel retaining wall supporting the outer edge of the highway road surface. The damage to the retaining wall combined with a heavy rainfall caused the road to wash away. The highway had to be closed.
Injury Type: Multiple injuries (1 worker)
Core Activity: Low slope roofing
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
While installing decking panels on the roof of a new tilt-up warehouse, a worker tried to stop a panel caught by a gust of wind from falling to the slab below and potentially injuring other workers. The worker fell about 37 feet from the leading edge of the roof to the slab.
Injury Type: Injuries to head
Core Activity: Earth and rock filled structure construction
Location: Northern B.C.
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
During shotcrete application, material struck a worker. The worker was treated on site by the first aid attendant, then taken to hospital by ambulance.
Injury Type: Suspected fractured arm
Core Activity: Earth and rock filled structure construction
Location: Northern B.C.
Date of Incident: 2020-Jan
A worker at a construction site slipped on a snow-covered area, injuring one arm. The worker was attended to by on-site first aid, then transported to hospital.
As a concrete pump truck was placing concrete at a construction site, its boom came in close proximity to a 500-kV transmission line. This caused an arc from the transmission line and an uncontrolled release of electricity. The electricity release caused hydraulic line leakage of the pump truck. It also caused a front tire and rim of a concrete delivery truck to fail. Both vehicles were removed from service until they could be repaired and safety inspections conducted.
Injury Type: Temporary loss of consciousness, back injury
Core Activity: Electrical work
Location: Interior B.C.
Date of Incident: 2019-Nov
An electrician was feeding a new electrical cable into a master control centre cabinet. The worker temporarily lost consciousness; it is suspected this was due to inadvertent contact with an energized electrical circuit.
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