July 2018 Work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC

August 9, 2018

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

See additional summaries online.

Injury Type: Lower body injury
Core Activity: Excavator operation
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018178740007
An excavator operator (a young worker) exited the cab onto the track assembly to view the depth of a trench being dug. One of the worker’s feet was on the narrow digging bucket cutting edge while the other foot remained on the track assembly of the excavator. The worker fell, struck the cutting edge of the bucket, and landed in the bucket.

Injury Type: Injuries to legs
Core Activity: Painting or wallpapering
Location: Northern B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018179420016
A worker operating a self-propelled, boom-supported aerial work platform was struck by a motor vehicle on a road.

Injury Type: Possible injuries to neck and head (1 worker)
Core Activity: Concrete reinforcing
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018178110033
A worker was using an 8-pound sledgehammer while working from a scissor lift extended about 15 feet high. The worker dropped the sledgehammer, which struck another worker directly below on the hard hat.

Injury Type: Crush injuries to leg
Core Activity: Structural concrete forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018165370031
A worker accessed a semi-truck flatbed trailer to rig the rebar it was carrying for removal. The load shifted and pinned the worker’s leg to the deck under a rebar bundle.

Injury Type: Close call
Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018174000096
A worker was removing a temporary wooden floor with an electric hand-held reciprocating saw from the top of a steel storage container. The worker inadvertently cut though a cable (600 volts, 400 amps) supplying the site with power. A second worker was standing in the immediate area assisting with the wood floor removal. No injuries were reported.

Injury Type: Fractured foot
Core Activity: Painting or wallpapering
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018156050034
A worker was on a roof overhang, about 8 feet above the ground, preparing to paint the exterior of a second-storey balcony railing. The worker fell backward off the roof and struck a fence.

Injury Type: Loss of consciousness, laceration to head (1 worker)
Core Activity: Low slope roofing
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018178740006
Two workers were performing torch-on roofing activities on the roof of a two-storey house. The workers descended from the roof for a break and one of the workers left the site to get water. After getting water and returning to the site, the worker found the other worker lying unresponsive on the driveway.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries
Core Activity: Steep slope roofing
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018182500007
A worker working on a 9:12 sloped roof fell 6.5 feet to a lower roof section. The fall was not arrested by the worker’s personal fall protection system.

Injury Type: Burns
Core Activity: Commercial refrigeration or commercial air conditioning work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018147100006
A young worker, who was working alone, was brazing copper pipe on a refrigeration (condenser) unit when a flash fire occurred.

Injury Type: Puncture wound (1 worker)
Core Activity: Framing or residential forming
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018178050014
A worker was using a pneumatic nail gun to nail a sheet of plywood. The worker inadvertently shot a nail through a gap in the plywood and the nail struck another worker.

Injury Type: Upper body fracture, suspected head injury
Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018174000094
A worker was accessing a 16-foot extension ladder when the fly section collapsed. The worker fell 10 feet 7.75 inches to the concrete below.

Injury Type: Close call
Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction / Crane operation
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Jul	ID Number: 2018165370029
A self-erecting crane came into contact with a 12.5 kV overhead conductor. The crane was removed from service pending re-certification. No injuries occurred.

Injury Type: Lacerated leg
Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2018-Jun	ID Number: 2018174090002
A worker was struck by a projectile while operating a powder-actuated tool.