A WorkSafe BC report shows a blasting incident during sewer system work on Wakefield Road in Sechelt Jan. 21 sent rock flying as far as 80 metres, and caused damage to cars and a nearby home as rocks landed on the sundeck and in a swimming pool on the far side of the house.
A blasting mat was also thrown five metres into the air, taking out Telus and Eastlink wires, knocking out phone, cable and Internet service to the neighbourhood.
WorkSafe’s investigation found violations of the proper procedures for conducting a blast in an urban area and practices that “may have endangered the safety of a person.”
They include:
• Failure to ensure the protection of persons and property during a blast and “adequately guard a blast or to ensure the danger area was clear of workers and other persons.”
• Failure to use “adequate cover or other effective means” to control the blast and protect people and property from flying material.
• Failure to properly use spotters and keep people or traffic from entering the blast area.
• Improper disposal of empty explosive containers.
The WorkSafe report also said neighbours were given only “generic notification … simply indicating there would be blasting in the area every day.” There was no follow-up to provide more specific information about where and when the blasts would take place.
WorkSafe names Bear Creek Contracting as the responsible employer on the site, although the company was using a hired “Blaster of Record” from another company to do the work.
In a press release after the incident, the District of Sechelt said as well as Bear Creek Contracting, the subcontractor Western Explosives Limited and Fieber Rock Engineering Services have also been involved in the sewer project along with the district’s consultants, ISL Engineering.
The district has cancelled the blasting permits for the project and WorkSafe is considering whether to impose an administrative penalty or issue an Occupational Health and Safety citation as a result of its inspection.
