Incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy.

February 22, 2023

Incident summaries are based on information obtained as soon as possible after the incidents: they are preliminary and subject to change. Details have been edited to protect workers’ privacy.

See additional summaries online.

PRIMARY RESOURCES

Injury Type: Injury to finger

Core Activity: Planing mill

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023174170005

A worker was injured when they contacted an air-powered ram that they were repairing.



Injury Type: Fatal (1 worker)

Core Activity: Fish processing, fish reduction, or fish canning

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023190500002

An operator was travelling in their lift truck to assist another operator with the retrieval of a piece of equipment for maintenance purposes. The travelling forklift went around the other operator’s parked lift truck and inadvertently struck the end of the entrance swing gate. The end of the gate entered between the mast and the front post of the overhead protection guard, striking the worker. The worker sustained fatal injuries.



Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Sawmill

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023160850002

A half-ton chain hoist failed while workers were hoisting a replacement band saw blade for the 10-inch canter. The below-the-hook lifting attachment (cradle) supporting the blade fell about 10 feet into the canter enclosure and onto the saw equipment below. No workers were in proximity to the saw cradle during the lift, and no injuries were reported.

CONSTRUCTION

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Crane operation

Location: Northern B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023179460003

A rough-terrain crane was supporting a metal sea-fastener (used to secure the load on board a ship). The sea-fastener was being manually cut with an oxyacetylene torch where it was connected to a natural gas plant module and the ship’s deck. As the worker finished cutting the sea-fastener, the crane tipped forward. The boom came to rest on the natural gas module and settled at an angle of about 45 degrees. No injuries were reported.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries

Core Activity: Drywalling or acoustic board installation

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023170630001

A worker was sanding drywall from a rolling scaffold system with no guardrails installed. The worker fell from a height of about 11 feet to the wood-frame floor below.

Injury Type: Multiple fractures, internal injuries

Core Activity: Low slope roofing

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023165410002

While trying to install a tarp on the leaking, unguarded roof of a home, a worker fell about 30 feet to grade, which consisted of hard compacted gravel.

Injury Type: Pain in lower body

Core Activity: Oil or gas pipeline construction or repair / General trucking

Location: Northern B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023194090004

A worker was exiting the cab of an excavator when they slipped and fell.

Injury Type: Concussion, fractures

Core Activity: Low slope roofing

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023184470002

A worker was accessing a second-storey townhome roof using a portable ladder positioned on a sloped carport roof. The ladder slipped out, and the worker fell about 18 feet to the ground.

Injury Type: Fractured leg (1 worker)

Core Activity: Oil or gas pipeline construction or repair

Location: Northern B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023182060002

A worker was struck by a crane access mat (support pad) that an excavator was about to load onto a truck. The worker who was struck was positioned near the back of the truck. Due to the position of the boom, the operator was unable to see where the worker was. When the excavator grabbed the mat to load it, the mat swung to one side, hitting the worker.

Injury Type: Injuries to head (1 worker)

Core Activity: Siding, awning, or gutter installation, service, or repair

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023194460001

A worker acting as a spotter on the ground at a construction site was directing the operator of a forklift carrying two bundles of large scaffolding decks to a truck. When the forklift made abrupt movements, the load, which was not secured, shifted and fell on the spotter.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries

Core Activity: Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023182130002

At a highrise construction site, a portion of deck scaffolding fell from level 33 and landed on level 6 of a tower. When it landed, a connector piece shot out from the scaffolding and struck a worker.

Injury Type: Fatal

Core Activity: Plumbing, heating, vent, residential air conditioning, or central vacuum system installation or repair

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023167730001

A worker was trying to cross a ramp spanning an elevator shaft when they fell 22 to 25 feet down the shaft to the concrete slab below.

View an audio slide show about a construction worker who fell off a stepladder and then through an opening in the floor.

Injury Type: Multiple fractures, laceration

Core Activity: Concrete placing, finishing, surfacing, or repair

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023158880001

While conducting a work estimate, a worker fell about 14 feet down an inadequately covered elevator shaft.

Injury Type: Sore back

Core Activity: Laminate flooring installation / House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023165370003

A young worker was installing laminate flooring when they slipped and fell backward.

Injury Type: Possible concussion

Core Activity: Excavation, or private landfill or transfer station operation

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023157620001

A gravel truck was dumping its load of material when the truck flipped onto the driver’s side. The driver was wearing their seat belt and was able to get out of the cab without assistance.

Injury Type: Fractured vertebra

Core Activity: Siding, awning, or gutter installation, service, or repair

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023196660001

A worker was doing work related to siding installation without fall protection when they fell about 11 feet through a skylight opening to the level below.

Injury Type: Multiple fractures

Core Activity: Low slope roofing / House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023173540001

A worker installing roof shingles on a new residential building fell about 19 feet to grade.

Injury Type: Undetermined injuries

Core Activity: House or other wood frame contracting, construction, or renovation work / Structural metal product fabrication

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023165370002

While assisting with the installation of a steel beam at a house, a worker fell 12 to 13 feet from the second level to the ground.

Injury Type: Electric shock

Core Activity: Fire and flood restoration

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023173670001

A worker doing restoration work contacted an energized low-voltage (110-volt) line.

Injury Type: Bruised, swollen foot

Core Activity: Power pole, powerline, or transmission line installation, service, or repair

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2022-Dec

ID Number: 2023182130001

While excavating a trench, an excavator backed over a worker’s foot.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Snow or ice removal

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2022-Dec

ID Number: 2022194900057

An all-terrain vehicle equipped with a snowplow struck a natural gas meter located in a narrow laneway at the rear of a commercial building. The impact resulted in the release of natural gas. The fire department and utility owner immediately responded, and the utility owner repaired the meter.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Blasting

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2022-Dec

ID Number: 2022197990002

During blasting work in preparation for residential construction, fly material escaped the blast site when two blasting mats were destabilized. An adjacent structure was damaged, but no injuries were reported.

TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSING

Injury Type: Electric shock

Core Activity: Barge, tug, or other water transport of goods

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023161530006

A worker was refuelling an air compressor from a portable diesel fuel tank. The tank, which had a fuel pump, was plugged into a 110-volt generator. The worker received an electric shock when they tried to turn on the pump.

TRADE

Injury Type: Amputated fingertips

Core Activity: Supermarket

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023173970005

As a worker was cutting a pork leg with a band saw, fingers on one of their hands contacted the saw.

Injury Type: Exposure to carbon monoxide (16 workers)

Core Activity: Furniture store

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023173970003

For 3 to 4 hours, workers in a warehouse were exposed to carbon monoxide ranging from 16 to 20 ppm. The warehouse was evacuated, and the source of carbon monoxide was investigated.

Injury Type: Injury to ankle

Core Activity: Auto parts supply

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023189760001

A worker in a warehouse was moving pallets with an electric rider jack truck (a stand-up reach truck) when the control head inadvertently became lodged under a steel storage racking shelf. The worker was partially thrown off the equipment, and one of their ankles was pinned under the rider jack truck.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Steel or metal wholesale (primary form)

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2022-Dec

ID Number: 2022195020007

A worker operating a lift truck in an area with ground traffic was exposed to a hazard of electrical energy when the mast of the lift truck contacted an energized 600-volt overhead power line. The power line and electrical components attached to the building were damaged, but no injuries were reported.

PUBLIC SECTOR

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Local government and related operations / Excavation operation

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023197990001

During trenching work using a backhoe and vacuum truck, a gas line that was marked on drawings as decommissioned was exposed. Using the backhoe, a worker tugged on the gas line. The site supervisor immediately smelled gas, shut down the street, and called 911. While first responders were on site, a fire broke out at an adjacent apartment building.

SERVICE SECTOR

Injury Type: Fatal (2 non-workers); Injuries to lower body (1 worker)

Core Activity: Outdoor sport tour

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023160850003

Two heli-skiers and the worker conducting their guided helicopter ski tour were caught in a size 2 avalanche.

Injury Type: Possible fractured ankle

Core Activity: Auto service or repair

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023186430001

A worker was standing on a 6-foot stepladder inside a trailer, riveting the front panel of the trailer, when they fell.

Injury Type: Pain, bruising

Core Activity: Electric utilities

Location: Northern B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023194890002

A worker was climbing down a distribution pole using their secondary strap. The strap failed to hold and the worker fell 30 to 35 feet to the snow-covered ground.

Injury Type: Close call

Core Activity: Community health support services

Location: Northern B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023177720002

A worker was travelling for work purposes on a highway when their vehicle hit a patch of snow and/or ice, causing it to leave the highway. The vehicle landed on railroad tracks adjacent to the highway and the worker was unable to move the vehicle off the tracks. The worker was able to exit the vehicle safely before a train struck the vehicle on the tracks.

Injury Type: Fatal

Core Activity: Security or patrol services

Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023171900002

A night-shift worker whose task was to patrol the grounds of a workplace did not respond to the employer’s person-check. The worker was found injured at the bottom of a staircase. The worker succumbed to the injuries.

Injury Type: Fractured leg (1 worker)

Core Activity: Electric utilities

Location: Interior B.C.

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023181730001

A crew was decommissioning a section of power line. Hardware was being removed from each end of a power pole that was lying flat on the ground. An excavator with a grapple was being used to remove a stub on the bottom portion of the pole. A worker was standing about 5 feet away, at the top end of the pole. The excavator operator tried to roll the power pole at the bottom to remove the stub, causing the top end of the pole to swing and strike the worker.

Injury Type: Head injury

Core Activity: Window, gutter, or awning cleaning

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023197950001

A self-employed person slipped and fell about 15 feet while cleaning a home’s cedar shake roof.

Injury Type: Fractured rib (1 worker)

Core Activity: Auto recycling

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023186390002

Workers were taking down a building-like structure made of storage racking. The structure had a roof, passageways, and stairs and was about three storeys high. One of the workers was on a pathway when it gave way, and they fell 8 feet to the pavement below.

Injury Type: Fractured ankle

Core Activity: Restaurant or other dining establishment

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2023-Jan

ID Number: 2023178250001

A worker was walking across the parking lot at a workplace to place an advertising sign near the entrance to the lot. The lot was covered by a thin layer of fresh snow. The worker slipped on a patch of ice under the snow and fell.

Injury Type: Temporary loss of consciousness, fractured ribs

Core Activity: Plastic laminating, packing, or packaging / Industrial, commercial, institutional, or highrise residential contracting or construction

Location: Lower Mainland

Date of Incident: 2022-Nov

ID Number: 2022167730008

During renovations of a building, a worker was on an unsecured extension ladder that was positioned on the roof to access another area. As the worker tried to secure themselves to a fall protection anchor point, the ladder kicked out, and the worker fell about 14 feet.

Source: worksafebc