A company has been fined more than $43,000 after an accident left a worker seriously injured during an explosion and fire at a Richmond construction worksite.
The worker, employed by a subcontractor, was working with the prime contractor, identified on WorkSafeBC's website as 0381060 B.C. Ltd. (formerly Centreville Construction Ltd.), at a mixed-used highrise construction site.
The worker was applying primer and waterproof membrane to the interior of a water surge tank, a confined space.
When the worker began torching the membrane, vapours from the primer ignited, resulting in an explosion and fire, according to WorkSafeBC.
An investigation found the water surge tank did not have signage identifying it as a confined space and not allowing worker entry.
"The firm failed to ensure each point of access into a confined space was identified by a sign or other effective means to indicate the hazard and prohibit entry by unauthorized workers," reads WorkSafeBC's online penalty webpage.
This is considered a high-risk violation.
WorkSafeBC further added the prime contractor of a multiple-employer workplace also failed to ensure health and safety activities on the site were "co-ordinated and to do everything reasonably practicable to establish and maintain a system of regulatory compliance."
WorkSafeBC fined the prime contractor $43,590.18 on Sept. 13.
Separately, Rock Roofing and Waterproofing Ltd. was fined $8,313.90 on Sept. 13 after a worker was also seriously injured while working at a mixed-used highrise construction site.
It is unclear whether the two incidents are related.
This worker was also in a water surge tank, applying a primer and waterproof membrane when an explosion occurred while the worker torched the membrane.
WorkSafeBC's investigation found the tank did not have enough ventilation, and "no evidence that a confined space entry hazard assessment had been done by a qualified professional."
The firm also did not have safe work procedures in place for those working in confined spaces.
Furthermore, the firm had fake documents about its confined space program.
"The firm failed to prepare and implement a written confined space entry program, a high-risk violation, and failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety," said WorkSafeBC.
"The firm also knowingly provided a WorkSafeBC office with false information."
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