April 2017 Work Related Incidents Reported to WorkSafeBC – Construction

Injury Type: Multiple fractures, internal injury

Core Activity: Site surface preparation
Location: Interior B.C.
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017178260005
A worker was operating a single-drum, padfoot, vibratory soil compactor at a construction site. While compacting fill in the reverse direction, the worker experienced a medical event and fell from the operator’s seat to the ground. The compactor continued to travel in the reverse direction and the drum contacted the worker.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries

Core Activity: Painting or wallpapering
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017178110011
A worker was operating a telehandler forklift with a garbage box to provide a second worker with access to a third-level balcony. The second worker, who was doing painting work activities, was wearing a personal fall protection system attached to the garbage box. When the forklift operator began to retract the boom and move the forklift, the worker on the balcony fell about 25 feet. His fall was arrested by the fall protection system when he was about 2 feet from the ground.

Injury Type: Lacerated arm

Core Activity: Low slope roofing
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017173550008
A worker reached into the mouth of a light-metal hydraulic shear to adjust the receiving end. The shear blade cycled before the worker could remove his arm.

Injury Type: Facial lacerations

Core Activity: Excavation operation
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017120030018
A worker was assisting with mobile equipment pulling an immobilized rock crusher onto a lowbed trailer. One of the steel chains broke and struck the worker.

Injury Type: Broken ribs (1 worker); injury to shoulder (1 worker)

Core Activity: Framing or residential forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017171890012
Two workers were preparing to install manufactured wooden trusses on a new three-storey house. When the temporary bracing holding five bundles of trusses was removed, the bundles of trusses fell from their upright position and struck the workers.

Injury Type: Injuries to head and upper body

Core Activity: Pre-engineered steel building construction
Location: Interior B.C.
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017157640011
A worker fell about 23 feet through an unguarded roof opening.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Structural concrete forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017166920010
During a concrete pour at a commercial highrise building, the base of a tubular concrete form at the edge of the 42nd floor failed, and about 1 cubic metre of concrete fell to grade.

Injury Type: Fatal

Core Activity: Finishing carpentry
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017122120011
A worker was on the unguarded second floor of a house under construction, preparing for the installation of custom railings. The worker fell about 12 feet from the leading edge of the second floor to the main floor.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Masonry / House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017178110010
The structural failure of a newly constructed masonry wall (about 50 feet high and 100 feet long) resulted in damage to two adjacent houses.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017115130001
An open-ended material box was being hoisted from grade to the second level with fabric slings when the slings slid off centre. The 6,000 pounds of unsecured building material in the box fell about 25 feet to the deck below.

Injury Type: Fractured arm

Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2017-Apr ID Number: 2017161290010
A mobile rock drill operator was struck by a 5-foot-long drill steel that became dislodged from the drill as the machine was moved.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries

Core Activity: Electrical work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Mar ID Number: 2017166920008
A worker performing electrical work from a metal-frame scaffold fell about 10 feet to a concrete floor.

Injury Type: Injuries to leg

Core Activity: Plumbing, heating, vent, residential air conditioning, or central vacuum system installation or repair
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Mar ID Number: 2017117080004
Workers were placing an 1,800-pound gas-fired boiler on a pallet. One of a young worker’s legs was caught under the boiler as it was placed on its side.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Electrical work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2017-Mar ID Number: 2017174000020
Two electricians were inspecting an electrical panel (800-amp, 600-volt) on a demolition site after a power outage. When the workers tried to re-energize the panel, an electrical arc and explosion occurred. The workers were wearing arc flash suits and were uninjured.

Injury Type: Head injury, fractured shoulder

Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2016-Nov ID Number: 2016180340005
A worker installing stairs at a residential renovation site fell about 8.5 feet from the exterior patio.