NANAIMO, B.C. — A recycling transportation services company has been fined more than $73,000 after a worker was fatally injured.
According to documents from WorkSafeBC, one of GFL Environmental Inc.’s drivers was reconnecting a commercial trailer to a transport truck. While waiting for the trailer’s air system to recharge, the trailer rolled and struck the driver, who died from his injuries. WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined the trailer’s wheels had not been chocked at the time of the incident. Chocks are small wedges that are placed beneath a vehicle’s wheels to prevent it from moving.
Investigators found the Nanaimo-based firm had not conducted a risk assessment for the task of reconnecting the trailer, and its safe work procedures did not mandate the use of wheel chocks.
In addition, WorkSafeBC concluded that a similar incident had occurred at another of the firm’s locations but reports of that incident and resulting safe operating procedures had not been communicated to all locations.
“The firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety,” wrote investigators. “This was a high-risk violation.”
WorkSafeBC added GFL also failed to ensure its occupational health and safety program included records and reports of incident investigations. In addition, the firm failed to ensure that equipment unsafe for use was identified as such.
On Feb. 1 GFL was issued a fine for $73,429.
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