Three Greater Victoria businesses received penalties for safety violations from WorkSafeBC recently.
All three were in the construction sector and all failed to provide workers fall-protection, according to WorkSafeBC.
Brad William Rumpel/Rumpel Construction received a penalty of $5,911.25 for a violation in Langford in September.
WorkSafeBC found that two of the firm’s workers were at risk of falling while working more than 7.5 metres above grade on the sloped roof of a two-storey house.
The firm failed to ensure that its workers used the required fall protection. This was a repeated violation of the fall protection requirements.
V.G.I. Gutters Ltd./Victoria Gutter Installation received a penalty of $6,296.64.
WorkSafeBC found that the company’s worker was injured after falling from a ladder that was missing its rubber feet and that the missing parts contributed to the accident.
The firm failed to inspect the ladder as required before each work shift to ensure that it was safe to use. This was a repeated violation.
“We have workers out in the field under their own guidance,” said Stephanie Needham, manager of Victoria Gutter Installation. “We always have spot checks in place, but some of these guys think they’re bullet-proof.”
Needham said her company works with WorkSafeBC to help ensure worker safety, but even long-term employees think they’re immune to injury. “Sometimes it’s not all that easy to enforce the rules,” she said.
Vintage Roofing received a penalty of $12,283.95 for a violation in Victoria.
WorkSafeBC found that two of the company’s employees were working without fall protection on an unguarded and sloped roof about 6.7 m above grade. The firm failed to ensure the use of fall protection.
There were a total of 65 penalties B.C.-wide including two related to worker fatalities, 41 related to lack of fall protection, seven related to asbestos and/or hazardous materials published in the January/February 2012 issue of WorkSafe Magazine.
llavin@vicnews.com