January 2019 work-related incidents reported to WorkSafeBC

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: Close call
Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional or highrise residential contracting or construction
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2019-Feb
As two workers were changing a propane cylinder powering a space heater, the new cylinder began leaking gas from the regulator area. The gas subsequently ignited, resulting in minor damage to the site. The fire department attended the site and extinguished the fire. No workers were injured.

Injury Type: Close call
Core Activity: Building demolition
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2019-Jan
During demolition activity, a worker was temporarily trapped by debris as a result of a partial structural failure. The worker was able to self-rescue.

Injury Type: Injury to back
Core Activity: Construction labour supply or general labour supply
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2019-Jan
A new and young worker stepped on an unsecured scaffold plank. The plank became unstable and the worker fell about 13 feet to grade.

Injury Type: Upper body fracture, shoulder injury
Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2019-Jan
A worker was on a stepladder placing a piece of blocking between ceiling joists. The stepladder slipped on the icy surface and the worker fell from the ladder to grade.

Injury Type: Sprained ankle
Core Activity: Structural concrete forming
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2019-Jan
A new and young worker was jackhammering a concrete wall adjacent to a form for a suspended slab. The worker then walked on an unsupported edge of form plywood. The plywood tipped into the opening and the worker fell about 10 feet to the slab below.

Injury Type: Lower body injuries
Core Activity: Siding, awning, or gutter installation, service, or repair
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2019-Jan
While erecting aluminum framework for a solarium at a new house, a worker fell about 12 feet from an exterior balcony.

Injury Type: Fractured shoulder
Core Activity: Painting or wallpapering
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2019-Jan
A worker was painting from a baker’s scaffold work platform. While moving materials, the worker lost balance and fell about 6 feet to the concrete floor below.

Injury Type: Exposure to carbon monoxide
Core Activity: Electrical work
Location: Lower Mainland
Date of Incident: 2018-Dec
A worker was using a gas-powered concrete saw to cut grid lines in the concrete floor inside an unventilated new commercial space. The worker was overcome by carbon monoxide gas and a passerby notified emergency services.