Two mid-Island businesses were fined recently by WorkSafeBC following improper procedure or safety risks on the job site. (WorkSafeBC)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

workplace fines

Local companies fined for unsafe work conditions

Nov 28, 2023 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — A pair of recently released WorkSafe BC investigations resulted in fines to local companies, one based in Coombs, the other in Nanaimo.

A penalty summary published by the crown corporation stated Knightway Haulers Ltd. was fined $2,500 in response to an incident where a worker sustained fatal injuries.

According to WorkSafe BC, three of the company’s workers were placing a mobile home into position on a residential lot in Qualicum Beach.

“While installing cinderblock piers (concrete block pillars) to support the mobile home, the temporary support that was holding up the home failed. The home fell to the ground, trapping one of the workers.”

The report stated Knightway Haulers failed to ensure that workers did not stand or pass beneath a suspended load and that the company failed to ensure all partially assembled structures were properly supported.

unique feature

Fire chief applauds innovative rain-capturing reservoir at mid Island service station

3h ago

ON THE FLOOR

Nanaimo Ball Hockey league returns for third season

21h ago

FUNDRAISING NEEDED

Nature Trust of BC seeking donations to protect land near Englishman River

Apr 27, 2024

“These were both high-risk violations,” the penalty summary noted.

While no further details were divulged by the BC Coroners Service, the agency confirmed it continues investigating the death.

The penalty was imposed in early July, however the incident wasn’t publicly disclosed until recently by WorkSafe BC.

Meanwhile, a hefty financial penalty was levied against Nanaimo based National Energy Equipment.

Fined more than $67,000 following site visit resulting in a stop work order, this too was deemed a high-risk safety violation.

WorkSafe BC noted the firm’s multi-gas detectors, used when workers entered a tanker, had not been recently bump-tested or calibrated and the detectors could not provide accurate measurements for oxygen and the lower explosive limit.

“The firm failed to ensure that, before a worker entered a confined space, pre-entry testing was conducted to verify that hazards were controlled and it was safe for a worker to enter.”

Penalty summaries imposed on employers for health and safety violations province-wide are a stipulation of the Workers Compensation Act.

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