'Several critical safety failures' behind B.C. workers death, WorkSafeBC says

The Canadian Press

· Posted: Mar 12, 2025 6:50 PM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago

WorkSafeBC says a idiosyncratic killed successful Vancouver past twelvemonth erstwhile a mould utilized for factual fell 26 storeys should ne'er person been capable to basal wherever she was.

The study released by the province's idiosyncratic information bureau says "several captious information failures" are to blasted for the decease of the pistillate astatine the Oakridge Park improvement tract successful February of 2024. 

It says CCTV footage revealed "no effectual controls successful place" and information protocols not followed, with workers often nether suspended loads and entering areas that should person been off-limit "ground power zones." 

The bureau says determination was a deficiency of clarity astir which contractor was liable for the power zones and that ambiguity "contributed significantly," arsenic nary azygous leader took responsibility.

The superior contractor, EllisDon, did not instantly respond to a petition for comment, though a lawyer for different contractor, Newway, says successful a connection that it has already implemented changes to however it carries retired inspections and operates power zones.

The study says connected the time of the death, respective workers were pushing the mould arsenic it was rigged to a crane erstwhile it "suddenly accelerated retired of the broadside of the building" falling connected the pistillate worker. 

The study says EllisDon, arsenic the premier contractor, did not guarantee that the hazards were identified oregon that the information measures for captious lifts and overhead enactment were co-ordinated, exposing workers to superior risks. 

"EllisDon failed to guarantee that determination was capable planning, co-ordination, hazard identification, hazard assessment, training, and supervision for the captious assistance and overhead enactment connected the time of the incident," the study says.

It says the institution besides failed to reappraisal policies and procedures, including those for spotters and crushed power zones during the hoisting and repositioning of the mould, besides called a flytable, "leading to the improvement of unsafe conditions."

"The inadequate fulfilment of premier contractor responsibilities was a cardinal contributing origin successful the incident," the study says.

In an email to CBC News, a WorkSafeBC spokesperson said it is utilizing the findings of the study to determmine "appropriate enforcement action."