RECENT INCIDENTS REPORTED TO WorkSafeBC
Many of the following incidents may have been caused by failure to lock out the machinery or equipment. Click here to access the BCMSA Lockout Program, which can be customized to meet the needs of your organization! Lockout Dec09.doc
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PRIMARY RESOURCES
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Injury Type: Serious Injury, broken left wrist and right ankle
Location: Fraser Valley
Registered CU: 753004, Local Government
Incident Occurred: February 4, 2010
Description: A worker was pruning street trees using a 3 legged orchard ladder set up on concrete. A large branch that was being pruned fell onto the ladder causing it to collapse and the worker to fall to the roadway
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Injury Type: Serious Injury
Location: Kootenay region
Registered CU: 753004, Local Government
Incident Occurred: December 08, 2009
Description: A volunteer fire fighter was in the process of pulling metal roofing material from a collapsed roof with a pole, when the pole’s hook came loose causing the worker to fall backwards onto the right leg resulting in an ankle fracture.
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Location : Thompson/Okanagan/Cariboo
Registered CU: 753004, Local Government
Incident Occured: December 7, 2009
Two gasoline-powered pumps were used to drain the main swimming
pool for annual maintenance and were both located immediately inside
the rear doors. After the pumps were running for approximately three
hours, a worker noticed a carbon monoxide detector in alarm in an
office adjacent to the pool area. The facility was evacuated and five
workers were sent to hospital for possible carbon monoxide exposure.
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Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Gravel pit
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009152480271
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A bulldozer backed into an empty settling pond (no water in the pond)
off a 9-foot drop. The operator, who was not wearing a seat belt, was
ejected from the bulldozer and sustained fatal injuries.
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Injury Type : Lacerated arm
Core Activity : Vegetable farming
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009125400186
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
As a worker cleared a jam on a running produce sorting conveyor, his
arm contacted the belt and roller.
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Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Orchard
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009161970165
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A farm tractor rolled over, fatally injuring the operator.
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Injury Type : Fractured leg, bruising
Core Activity : Grapple yarding
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009137160098
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A worker was assisting a grapple yarding crew with rigging up for
yarding. He entered a hazard area on the landing without permission
from the yarder operator and was struck by the grapple.
See a slide show about a similar accident in which the worker died:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/fwd/g981.htm
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Injury Type : Broken ribs, punctured lung
Core Activity : Seine fishing
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2009161530150
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
A worker on the beach was knocked into the water after being struck by
his beachline (used to tie a seine fishing vessel net to the beach).
The beachline had been secured to a tree strap that parted under
tension from the setting of the net.
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MANUFACTURING
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Injury Type : Serious hand injuries
Core Activity : Wooden product manufacture
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009113210119
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A worker was cutting 1x2 wood pieces on a table saw. Finished pieces
accumulated behind the saw. The worker shut off the saw and moved to
the side to pick up the finished pieces, stumbled, and contacted the
still-rotating saw blade with one hand.
View a slide show about housekeeping techniques to prevent slips,
trips, and injuries in woodworking shops:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/fwd/g982.htm
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Injury Type : Partial amputation of finger
Core Activity : Bakery
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009147230186
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
As a worker was clearing dough from a muffin depositor, the roller
(dough dispenser) was inadvertently activated. One hand was near a
hole in the roller. The roller turned a quarter turn, catching the
worker's finger and pulling it into the machine.
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Injury Type : Serious injuries to hand
Core Activity : Wooden truss manufacture
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009158180206
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
A worker's hand was injured as he tried to remove a staple from a 2x4
while a radial arm saw was still running.
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Injury Type : Amputated fingertip
Core Activity : Lumber mill
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160530307
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
Young worker (ages 15-24)
More than 2 years' experience at this task
A young worker was piling boards in a lumber mill when one glove got
caught in a drive pulley.
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CONSTRUCTION
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Injury Type : Laceration (1 worker); abrasions, contusions (2 workers)
Core Activity : Construction
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009137290201
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
Three workers were blown down by wind generated by jet engines on the
tarmac next to the construction site.
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Injury Type : Bruised back
Core Activity : Commercial construction
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157270256
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A worker was on an unsecured ladder, pushing on a trim board to set it
in place, when the ladder slid out from under him. The worker fell
about 12 feet to grade.
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Injury Type : Minor electric shock
Core Activity : Electrical work
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009163640197
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
As an electrician climbed a 6-foot stepladder to test for electrical
current in a junction box, the back of his hand brushed wires from a
340-volt lighting circuit.
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Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Wood frame construction
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009128230271
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A worker was riding on the tailgate of a moving pickup truck when he
fell off and struck his head on the pavement.
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Injury Type : Electrical burns
Core Activity : Asbestos surveying
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009122700210
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
While conducting an asbestos survey, a worker contacted a 7.2-kV
primary overhead power line that was lying over a trailer home. An
energized power pole had been felled by a chainsaw, and the
transformer had been removed.
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Injury Type : Multiple fractures
Core Activity : Cladding installation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009163710250
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
Young worker (ages 15-24)
Worker's experience at this task is unknown
A young worker was using cross braces as a ladder while descending the
side of an unfinished building. A brace slipped out from underfoot and
the worker fell 11 feet.
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Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Crane operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160850200
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A sling used to lift an air test bushing (about 15 feet long by 2
inches deep and weighing 1,000 pounds) was rigged so the sling eye
applied the load to the safety catch of the crane hook during the
lift. The safety catch failed, permitting the sling-supported end of
the load to fall and hit the concrete floor 15 feet below. No workers
were in the area.
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Injury Type : Cuts, abrasions, bruising
Core Activity : Sheathing roof
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009154970425
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A worker was hooking a lifeline around a ridge truss when the lifeline
dislodged. The worker lost his footing and slid down the roof (pitch
of 6/12), then fell 29 feet to grade.
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Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Steep slope roofing
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009110750595
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
Materials were being lowered on a power ladder when the ladder
collapsed. Bolts used to secure the sections of the ladder had not
been installed.
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Injury Type : Serious lacerations
Core Activity : Commercial construction
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009122700183
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
A worker was grinding concrete with a handheld grinder when the
grinder's abrasive cup stone shattered.
Read a hazard alert about a similar incident in which a worker was
fatally injured:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/fwd/g983.htm
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Injury Type : Fractured vertebra
Core Activity : Commercial construction
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009110750539
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
Wood frame re-shore units (10 feet x 10 feet x 25 feet and 2,000
pounds) were being dismantled. A worker removed support braces from
one unit, which became unstable and fell towards the worker. A
400-pound side wall component pinned the worker to the floor.
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TRADE
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Injury Type : Smoke inhalation
Core Activity : Gas bar
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160850207
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
Young worker (ages 15-24)
Worker's experience at this task is unknown
A propane-powered recreation vehicle caught fire while refuelling. The
ignition source was later found to be the pilot light of the propane
refrigerator. A young worker who attempted to extinguish the fire
sustained smoke inhalation.
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Injury Type : Lacerated finger
Core Activity : Supermarket
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009128230272
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
Young worker (ages 15-24)
Less than 1.5 years' experience at this task
A young worker was operating a meat slicer when one finger contacted
the moving blade.
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Injury Type : Crush injuries to hand
Core Activity : Drug, vitamin, or pharmaceutical manufacture
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009102100738
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
Young worker (ages 15-24)
2 years' experience at this task
As a young worker was performing maintenance on a ribbon blender, one
hand was caught in the rotary blade.
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Injury Type : Soft-tissue injuries to legs
Core Activity : Gas bar
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2009153370176
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
Young worker (ages 15-24)
Worker's experience at this task is unknown
A gas bar attendant (young worker) was washing the back window of a
customer's van when a second vehicle ran into him. The worker was
pinned between the two vehicles.
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SERVICE SECTOR
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Injury Type : Serious burns
Core Activity : Acute care facility
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009113830217
Date of Accident : 2009-Oct
A worker was test firing the steam boiler on oil. There was a large
loud bang and a portion of the burner of the Number 4 steam boiler
blew off. The worker was showered in burning diesel oil and his shirt
caught fire.
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Injury Type : Fractured foot
Core Activity : Window cleaning
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157270251
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
Young worker (ages 15-24)
More than 2 years' experience at this task
A young worker was on a ladder, cleaning windows at a private
residence, when the ladder slid sideways. The worker fell about 12
feet, landing on an uneven cement walkway.
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Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Motel
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009138190193
Date of Accident : 2009-Sep
A person entered a motel office, produced a knife, and demanded money
from the front desk clerk. The worker stepped into a room behind the
counter and locked the door. The suspect fled the scene.
Read a hazard alert about safe work practices for workplaces with a
risk of violence:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/fwd/g984.htm
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Injury Type : Broken bones, mild concussion, puncture wound
Core Activity : Ski hill operation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157270226
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
Two workers were performing routine maintenance on a T-bar ski lift
from a lift suspended about 20 feet above grade. The lift was moving
the workers to the next tower when one worker was dragged out of the
lift by his lanyard, which was still attached to the previous tower.
Significant torque was applied to the lift as the worker was dragged
out, and the lift broke away from the cable. The second (injured)
worker rode the lift to the ground.
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Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Cheque cashing business
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157600202
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
A person entered a store, produced a gun, and ordered a worker to hand
over all the money on site. When the thief had the money, he ordered
the worker to open the back door and to lock it behind him as he made
his escape.
Read a hazard alert about safe work practices for workplaces with a
risk of violence:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/fwd/g980.htm
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Injury Type : Burns
Core Activity : Laboratory
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009113210104
Date of Accident : 2009-Aug
Young worker (ages 15-24)
Less than 1 year's experience at this task
A young worker in a lab was transferring 95 percent sulfuric acid from
a 4-litre glass bottle into a beaker using a bottletop dispenser. The
acid splashed the worker's face and chest.
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Prepared by the E-Business Unit of WorkSafeBC
(the Workers' Compensation Board of BC)
Injury Type: Non-Injury, Contact with underground utility
Location: Vancouver Island
Registered CU: 753004, Local Government
Incident Occurred: November 20, 2009
Description: A ½ inch residential service gas line was severed by a 4” root cutter being employed by a municipal crew performing routine maintenance on a 6” main storm drain in the road. The crew heard and then smelled the gas escaping, stopped activities and initiated emergency response. Approx. 35 residents were evacuated by emergency personnel over a 4 block by two block area until a 2 inch main feeder line was shut off and drain lines were purged.
Injury Type: Caught in or between equipment or object
Location: Vancouver Island
Registered CU: 753004, Local Government
Incident Occurred: November 25, 2009
Description: While performing pipe bursting activities (150 feet of 8 inch diameter pipe is pulled through a 6 inch diameter underground pipe) a worker removed a steel bar supporting a vertical 4 foot x 8 foot x ¾ inch steel plate, causing the plate to fall against the worker, pinning him between the steel plate and the pulling machine.
