GFL Environmental Inc. was fined over $73,000 for failing to provide safe work procedures which led to the death of an employee in Nanaimo in December 2020. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FATAL INJURIES

‘This was a high-risk violation:’ WorkSafeBC fines Nanaimo company following employee’s death

Mar 8, 2022 | 12:11 PM

NANAIMO — A local waste disposal and recycling company received a substantial fine following an employee’s death on the job.

GFL Environmental Inc. was penalized $73,429.93 by WorkSafeBC on Feb. 1 following an investigation into the death of one of their staff at a work site in Nanaimo in December 2020.

“One of the firm’s drivers was reconnecting a commercial trailer to a transport truck,” the report from WorkSafeBC read. “While waiting for the trailer’s air system to recharge, the trailer rolled and struck the driver, who sustained fatal injuries.”

WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined the trailer’s wheels were not secured with chocks at the time of the incident, an action which would have likely prevented the employee’s injuries and death.

It also noted GFL Environmental had not done a risk assessment for the activity in question, with no safe procedures in place.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

17h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

It wasn’t the first time a trailer had rolled under similar circumstances at GFL, however lessons learned and safe procedures from the undated incident were not communicated to other offices.

“The firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety,” the report continued. “This was a high-risk violation.”

The penalty is the only one for GFL Environmental Inc. listed on the WorkSafeBC website.

GFL Environmental is a North American-wide disposal and recycling collection company.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW