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WorkSafeBC

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This page contains summaries of Notice of Incident (NI) reports received by WorkSafeBC. This information may help you to prevent similar accidents in your workplace.

THE NI INFORMATION IS PRELIMINARY AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Some details have been edited to protect the privacy of workers involved.

Completed WorkSafeBC investigation reports for selected Service Sector incidents are available online.

Service Sector - Incident Summaries

All Sectors | Construction | Manufacturing | Primary Resources | Public Sector | Service Sector | Trade | Transportation & Warehousing | Young Worker

Service Sector incident summaries from other dates

Most recent incidents (updated May 9, 2011)

Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Acute care facility
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2011150180004
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A person drove their vehicle into the side entrance of an emergency department.
Injury Type : Concussion; fractured skull and vertebra
Core Activity : Cleaning gutters
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2011112010002
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A worker fell 6 to 8 feet from a fully extended "multi-way" aluminum stepladder.
Injury Type : Exposure to airborne chrysotile asbestos (3 workers)
Core Activity : Building management and maintenance
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2011112840011
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

Two maintenance workers were searching for the source of a water leak. Vinyl tiles were removed and examination portals were cut in flooring with a reciprocating saw. The flooring was not inspected for asbestos - but it consisted of vinyl tiles over sheet linoleum containing 30 percent chrysotile asbestos. The asbestos flooring was further disturbed when the opening was expanded by a pipefitter called in to repair the water leak. None of the workers used effective dust control measures or respiratory protection.
Injury Type : Contusions to face, back, neck; facial lacerations
Core Activity : Residential care of high-risk youth
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165930223
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A caregiver in a residential facility for high-risk youth was attacked during a home invasion of the facility. The assailants entered the house, and attacked and beat the worker.
Injury Type : Soft-tissue injuries (2 workers)
Core Activity : Ambulance service
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010160850345
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

An ambulance travelling on a highway was involved in a motor vehicle accident with an oncoming transport truck. The driver of the transport truck was not injured.
Injury Type : Undetermined injuries to chest
Core Activity : Ski hill operation
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010137290351
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A worker was caught in an avalanche.
Injury Type : Contusions to hands
Core Activity : Soil testing
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010155010170
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A platform loaded with a 50-kilogram weight on a soil testing apparatus fell onto a young worker's hands.
Injury Type : Back injury; bruising and soreness
Core Activity : On-site surveying
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010155070252
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A worker fell through a floor opening and landed in a garbage bin 15 feet, 3 inches below.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Window and gutter cleaning
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010112010110
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

As a worker was cleaning gutters at a private residence, an aluminum ladder contacted 120-volt service wires. The fuse of the transformer supplying power to the service wires blew.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Hotel
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010116090092
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

A worker fell down a flight of stairs and later died from the injuries.
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace (3 workers)
Core Activity : Fast food outlet
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010111080148
Date of Incident : 2010-Dec

Three workers were held hostage during a robbery.
Injury Type : Back injury
Core Activity : Community health services
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010163500154
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A worker was leaving a client's home during evening hours and slipped on ice.
Injury Type : Crush injuries to hand, amputated fingertips
Core Activity : Forklift operation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163730263
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

While a forklift was operating, its mast became jammed in the elevated position. When the operator attempted to release the mast, it suddenly became free and dropped onto the worker's hand.
Injury Type : Mild concussion, facial lacerations and bruising
Core Activity : Landscaping
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010122700333
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A worker was inflating the rubber tire of a wheelbarrow when the rim exploded.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Car wash or auto detailing
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010155980306
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A worker fell down a flight of 16 stairs and landed on the concrete below. The worker later succumbed to the injuries.
Injury Type : Lacerated finger
Core Activity : Heavy equipment sales, rental, and service
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163730253
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A young worker was removing shrink wrap from a pallet containing equipment parts. The worker's finger was cut by the steel strapping used to hold the boxes on the pallet.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Data collection
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010117640629
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

Three of eight 200-feet-high communication towers installed for the collection of wind speed data collapsed. The towers were located on different mountains and supported by 24 guy lines.
Injury Type : Fatal (worker); undetermined injuries (non-worker)
Core Activity : Insurance, actuarial, or bonding services
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010166950370
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A worker was travelling on a highway, heading to a jobsite. The worker's vehicle slid across the centre line into an oncoming vehicle. The worker was fatally injured in the accident; the driver of the oncoming vehicle was injured.
Injury Type : Contusions to chest, leg
Core Activity : Warehouse
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010155010160
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A forklift collided with a steel post in a warehouse. The operator was not wearing a seatbelt.
Injury Type : Fractured skull
Core Activity : Tree services
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010167040209
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

A worker was ascending a large cedar tree in preparation for bolting and cabling the upper 3 vertical branches to help support the tree. The worker was using a single-rope climbing system when he fell to grade (25 to 30 feet).
Injury Type : Serious neck and head injuries
Core Activity : Furnace servicing
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010110210195
Date of Incident : 2010-Nov

While servicing a furnace, a worker fell through the T-bar ceiling to the floor 8 feet below.
Injury Type : Multiple fractures, internal injuries
Core Activity : Mobile home park operation
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010136970231
Date of Incident : 2010-Oct

A mobile home that was being lifted with hydraulic jacks became unstable and fell on a young worker.
Injury Type : Head and neck trauma
Core Activity : Video production and editing
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010112010082
Date of Incident : 2010-Oct

A worker's head was caught between a fixed wall and a movable wall that other workers were pushing.
Injury Type : Undetermined head, back and leg injuries
Core Activity : Heavy equipment or machinery rental
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165890212
Date of Incident : 2010-Oct

A worker fell about 7 feet from a scissor lift work platform.
Injury Type : Probable exposure to asbestos fibres (3 workers)
Core Activity : Maintenance work on the furnace duct
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010162590193
Date of Incident : 2010-Oct

Tape containing 85 percent asbestos fibre was removed from the ducting of a furnace. No safe work practices were used to ensure that fibre would not be released.
Injury Type : Neck soreness and pain (1 worker)
Core Activity : Extended care facility
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010116080028
Date of Incident : 2010-Sep

Two workers were caring for a resident near the end of life. As one of the workers was turning the resident, the resident reached out and placed their thumb against the worker's neck and squeezed hard. The resident was also kicking out at both care providers. The resident was not known to be aggressive.
Injury Type : Needlestick injury
Core Activity : Medical clinic
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165700142
Date of Incident : 2010-Sep

A worker was suturing a wound. As the worker unclipped the suture from the needle driver, the needle poked one of the worker's fingers. The patient had a bloodborne disease.
Injury Type : Dizziness, disorientation (2 workers)
Core Activity : Industrial catering
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010090822276
Date of Incident : 2010-Sep

Two workers were exposed to carbon monoxide emitted by a gas-fired "booster heater" used to maintain dishwasher water temperatures.
Injury Type : Concussion, facial injury, bruising
Core Activity : Accounting firm
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010157580289
Date of Incident : 2010-Sep

A worker tripped at the top of a stairwell and fell down the stairs.
Injury Type : Dizziness, loss of balance
Core Activity : Sports and entertainment facility
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010160310102
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

While on a lunch break, a worker bought a bottle of water from an on-site retailer. The worker had consumed a quarter of the water when he noticed that there was a pin-hole perforation in the bottle's lid. The worker was concerned that the water bottle might have been tampered with and provided the bottle and remaining water to the site operations office to investigate further. Shortly afterward, the worker began to feel ill.
Injury Type : Burns to upper body
Core Activity : Propane system inspection
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010113920204
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

As a worker was inspecting an enclosed propane system at a new home site, a small explosion and fire occurred.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Tree trimming
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010112850229
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

A company was removing tree limbs growing into 25-kV power lines. The operator was working between the neutral and primary when he contacted the 25-kV primary power line with the insulated boom of the bucket truck. The line was severed and dropped to the ground but no one was injured.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Substation control room
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010163050202
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

While working in a substation control room, a worker contacted an unknown electrical source and fell. The worker succumbed to the injuries.
Injury Type : Exposure to carbon monoxide
Core Activity : Train operator
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163210243
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

While operating a passenger train that has an internal combustion engine powered by propane, a young worker experienced symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, and vomiting.
Injury Type : Broken bones in feet
Core Activity : Wind turbine installation
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010158820160
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

A 90-ton mobile crane was loading wind turbine components onto a transport truck. The truck moved ahead before the last sling was disconnected. The truck's forward movement caused the crane's rear stabilizers to lift. The crane operator tried to reel out main line, but he was not able to do so fast enough so he decided to jump clear of the crane. He jumped about 11 feet from a height of 7.5 feet, breaking bones in both feet. The crane did not tip over.
Injury Type : Missing (1 worker, 3 non-workers)
Core Activity : Commercial sport fishing
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010157490204
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

A 19-foot commercial sport fishing vessel with one guide and three guests failed to return to a fishing lodge. The vessel was located several days later but an extensive search has not located the missing people.
Injury Type : Broken wrist, shoulder; internal injuries
Core Activity : Exterior building cleaning
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010158880307
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

A window washer in a boatswains chair fell 70 feet when his suspension line broke and his Prusik sling did not engage his vertical lifeline.
Injury Type : Injuries to feet, wrist
Core Activity : Interior cleaning
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010110110482
Date of Incident : 2010-Aug

An interior cleaning worker descending an extension ladder fell 8 to 10 feet, landing on a hardwood floor.
Injury Type : Scrapes, bruises
Core Activity : Tree services
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010114050205
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A utility company hired a subcontractor to remove beetle-killed trees adjacent to energized high-voltage power lines. A young worker climbed a 14-inch diameter tree (about 65 feet tall) to cut limbs between that tree and a smaller tree growing close to it, because the two trees were limb tied. After removing the connecting limbs and the top of the smaller tree, the worker started to descend the tree. At about 39 feet above the ground, the worker felt movement in the tree as the tree began to uproot. The tree then fell over downslope into an adjacent energized high-voltage (25-kV) power line.
Injury Type : Serious burns
Core Activity : Vacuum truck operation
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010140970236
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A young worker was vacuuming out a multicone hopper at a wood products plant. Hot ash that was bridged above the access hatch dislodged, exited the hatch, and contacted the worker, who was standing on an adjacent catwalk.
Injury Type : Serious burns
Core Activity : Auto sales and service
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010116120178
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A young worker was using a plasma cutter to cut the top off a 45-gallon metal drum containing windshield washer concentrate. The drum exploded, burning the worker.
Injury Type : Broken foot, fractured wrist
Core Activity : Cedar hedge trimming
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010167040119
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker was preparing to trim a section of a hedge, working from a 16-foot orchard ladder. The worker was positioned about 10 feet above grade when he fell backwards with the ladder and landed 22 feet from the hedge, on a downward-sloping concrete driveway.
Injury Type : Electric shock causing serious injuries
Core Activity : Cleaning
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010155980195
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker performing housekeeping duties in a newly constructed suite contacted an exposed energized 120-volt wire.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Tower crane erection
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010155400172
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A self-erecting tower crane had been completely erected. As the load and trolley moment (tip load) limiting switches were being set with an 1100-kilogram concrete block and 100-kilogram kicker block (at a 42-metre radius), a top jib-cord connection failed. The two test blocks fell to the ground and the outer 15 metres of the jib collapsed and was hanging down at 90 degrees from the remaining inner 30 metres of horizontal jib.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Pressure washing
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010167040115
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker was pressure washing the side of a 3-storey building, working from an extension ladder. The ladder base slid out and the worker fell about 11 feet to grade.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Customs brokerage or freight forwarding
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165890172
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker fell about 3 feet from the cab of a transport truck. The worker's head struck the asphalt, and the worker later died of his injuries.
Injury Type : Injuries to shoulder, arm (1 worker); eye injury (1 worker)
Core Activity : Residential care facility
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165930117
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

Two separate incidents of violence occurred in one day with the same worker and client in a residential care facility. In the first incident, the client grabbed the worker's arm and held the worker. (Another worker intervened and was able to extract the first worker from the client's hold.) In the second incident, later in the day, the worker was again grabbed by the client and unable to get free from the client's hold. Law enforcement officials were called and they assisted in releasing the worker from the client.
Injury Type : Abrasions
Core Activity : Road testing a motorcycle
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010161940205
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A young worker was on a test ride of a motorcycle that was being repaired. The worker lost control of the motorcycle and crashed. No other vehicle was involved.
Injury Type : Sprains
Core Activity : Industrial food preparation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010160850254
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

While carrying a tray of food, a worker slipped on a shock-absorbing mat and fell to the floor
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Boat refuelling
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010160670133
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker fell from the tailgate of a pickup truck, striking the back of his head. The worker later succumbed to his injuries.
Injury Type : Crushing injuries to upper body
Core Activity : Horse racing
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010158880285
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A riderless race horse ran into the winner's circle during a race and struck a worker.
Injury Type : Crush injuries to head, shoulders, arm
Core Activity : Cleaning out old car parts
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010157410172
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

As a non-worker was trying to dislodge a piece of metal caught in the mast of a forklift, he was crushed by the mast.
Injury Type : Smoke inhalation, undetermined injuries (1 worker); smoke inhalation (8 workers)
Core Activity : Electric utilities
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010124490104
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

Workers were conducting preventive maintenance on one of the turbines at a power generation facility. When the crew tried to re-start the generator, an explosion occurred in the unit's exciter (secondary generator used to start the main power generator). Nine workers, including one young worker, were treated for gas inhalation.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Truck service and repair
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010154930291
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A compressor fell while being hoisted onto an elevated storage platform, strking and fatally injuring a worker.
Injury Type : Lacerated finger, sore wrist
Core Activity : Residential care
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010113830176
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker was in the nursing station updating charts when he was assaulted by a resident using an electric wheelchair and throwing objects (stapler, charts).
Injury Type : Electric shock, loss of consciousness
Core Activity : Window cleaning
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010110750467
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker was standing on wet lawn while using an aluminum pole to wash windows on the third floor of a hotel. The pole was extended to 32 feet. The worker was moving from one set of windows to the next, holding the pole upright. The pole contacted a 120-volt street-light power line 22 feet above grade.
Injury Type : Cut to head, loss of consciousness
Core Activity : Heavy equipment servicing
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010116270169
Date of Incident : 2010-Jul

A worker was standing on top of a loader tire when he stepped onto the top step of an unsecured 6-foot stepladder that was leaning against the loader's tire. When the ladder slipped out, the worker fell to the concrete floor and struck his head.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Skid-steer loader operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010156240168
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A skid-steer loader was removing and levelling soil for the installation of a block wall. The loader's bucket contacted and ruptured a plastic 15-millimetre natural gas line. The area was evacuated and the line was repaired by the gas utility. The gas line had been previously located but not hand exposed.
Injury Type : Crush injuries (non-worker)
Core Activity : Marina boat rental
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010155980185
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

The brakes on a boat handler unexpectedly released and the boat hndler and pleasure boat rolled forward down the loading ramp. This unexpected movement of the pleasure boat caused the non-worker loading the boat to fall forward out of the boat and onto the boat launch ramp. The non-worker was caught between the rolling boat handler and the loading platform support structure.
Injury Type : Fractured arm
Core Activity : Handling and insertion of flyers into newspapers
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165890146
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A worker was operating a counterveyor stacker machine (a machine that counts and sorts paper flyers). Without de-energizing the machine, the worker reached in to clear a jam-up. The machine cycled and pulled the worker's arm around the bottom roller.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Acute care facility
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010157580189
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

An equipment failure occurred in the vaporizer portion of the propane delivery system. A fire broke out and engulfed the vaporizer shed. The hospital was evacuated as a precaution.
Injury Type : Cut to head
Core Activity : Public school district
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010110750416
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A worker was moving a soccer goal in order to mow the field in the area. As the worker pushed on one of the uprights, the crossbar came down on his head. An investigation revealed that an inside weld had failed.
Injury Type : Severed finger
Core Activity : Public school district
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010110750411
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

While washing the floor in a doorway, a worker slipped on the wet floor and fell. The worker was wearing a ring, which caught on the striker plate of the door, severing the worker's finger.
Injury Type : Fractured vertebra
Core Activity : Public school
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010138190204
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A worker fell and struck his head on the steps of a school bus.
Injury Type : Soft-tissue injury to leg
Core Activity : Trail system maintenance
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010160850223
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A worker was performing trail maintenance when he lost control of the all-terrain vehicle (quad) he was operating. Both the worker and the ATV rolled down a metre into a river. The worker was swept about 200 metres downstream before being rescued by a water-rafting tour group.
Injury Type : Crush injuries to fingers
Core Activity : Pizza restaurant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163210131
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A young worker's fingers were crushed as he operated a dough press.
Injury Type : Fractured skull, broken wrist, internal injuries
Core Activity : Circus
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010152480162
Date of Incident : 2010-Jun

A circus worker was in an extended tallescope (a tallescope is a manually operated telescopic aluminum work platform) repositioning a wire rope cable on an arena rafter about 22 feet above grade. The tallescope suddenly retracted downward, then fell over onto the arena's concrete floor.
Injury Type : Major laceration to arm
Core Activity : Tree services
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010156580175
Date of Incident : 2010-May

A worker was topping a tree when the chainsaw kicked back and contacted the worker's arm. Another worker on the ground immediately climbed up the tree and performed an aerial rescue.
Injury Type : Facial injuries
Core Activity : Welding and related machinery modifications
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010157600121
Date of Incident : 2010-May

A come-along winch was anchored to the operator's cab of a wood chipper. The come-along was then used to hoist and hold the machine's flail drum shroud upright. During maintenance work, the cab unexpectedly tilted and flipped towards the load (the flail drum shroud), crushing a worker between the cab and machinery.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Acute psychiatric care
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010157580150
Date of Incident : 2010-May

A patient was placed in an isolation room due to aggressive behaviour. The patient used a concealed lighter to ignite his hat and the fire spread to a mattress in the isolation room. A worker extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher and the area was evacuated.
Injury Type : Mild concussion, facial injuries
Core Activity : Tree trimming
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010113830129
Date of Incident : 2010-May

A large cedar tree (100 feet tall, 6.5 feet in diameter) was being removed a piece at a time, starting at the top. When the remainder of the tree was about 24 feet tall, the huge diameter meant the pieces (each about 18 inches thick) were very heavy, so workers decided to use a rope and pulley system to lower them. Two pieces were lowered using this system, but as the third log was dropping, the rope broke and the pulley struck a worker on the ground.
Injury Type : Head laceration, bruises
Core Activity : Pub, bar, night club, or lounge
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010110750279
Date of Incident : 2010-May

A worker was on a 10-foot stepladder, installing an exterior sign. The ladder was on the extreme edge of a curb, and the worker was on the 8-foot level of the stepladder, when the worker fell to the concrete sidewalk.
Injury Type : Leg fractures
Core Activity : Working on a fish trap
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010166970052
Date of Incident : 2010-May

A worker was using a come-along winch when it failed and struck the worker's leg.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Boom truck operation
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010158820104
Date of Incident : 2010-May

As a 28-ton boom truck positioned a trailer on a worksite, the load line contacted an overhead power line.
Injury Type : Lacerated arm
Core Activity : Tree services
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010154960167
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

An arborist (a young worker) was in an elevated work bucket, using a chainsaw to cut a tree limb. The limb struck the running saw. The saw came out of the worker's hand, lacerating his arm.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Power generation
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010124490072
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

Workers at a power generation facility had just completed a major lift using a 320-ton overhead crane. The crane operator was returning the load blocks to the upper limit of the crane when the operator heard a loud noise and noticed that the crane had been damaged. The damage was noted in the log book and reported to the supervisor but not to the owner of the power generation facility.
Injury Type : Potential exposure to asbestos (8 workers)
Core Activity : Renovation of acute care facility
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010157580142
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

Workers were removing steam piping, including insulating materials, from a renovation area. The asbestos cement insulation applied to the pipe elbows was removed without any precautions to control fibre release or to prevent worker exposure to asbestos fibres.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Trimming tree branches
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010159110152
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A worker was trimming tree branches growing above, and possibly within 10 feet of, a 25-kV overhead power line. A long branch swung out, hung up in the centre line, and contacted the neutral. The branch caused arcing and blew 65-amp and 100-amp fuses, resulting in a power outage to a number of homes in the area.
Injury Type : Undetermined injuries to head, neck
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163730112
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A worker stacking boxes in a restaurant's walk-in freezer slipped and fell backwards. The worker's head struck the concrete floor.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Electrical utilities work
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010156160081
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

While installing a utility pole, a boom truck inadvertently contacted an overhead 15-kV primary power line.
Injury Type : Broken shoulder and leg
Core Activity : Job training
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010138190132
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A worker was run over by a utility trailer pulled by a vehicle.
Injury Type : Lower back pain
Core Activity : Gutter cleaning
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010155070114
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A worker fell 11 feet, 4 inches from the eave of a sloped roof to grade. He landed on his feet.
Injury Type : Fractured wrist and ankle
Core Activity : Gutter maintenance
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010154960158
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A worker removing a section of eavestrough from a residence fell about 13 feet, landing on the asphalt driveway.
Injury Type : Concussion
Core Activity : Amusement park
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010145130111
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A young worker (passenger) fell out of a golf cart when the driver made a sharp left-hand turn. The worker's head struck the pavement.
Injury Type : Facial laceration
Core Activity : Public school district
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163730101
Date of Incident : 2010-Apr

A worker carrying lunch in the cafeteria slipped on a small step and fell. The worker's head struck the edge of a table.
Injury Type : Lacerations to leg
Core Activity : Lawn maintenance
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010154960133
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was unloading a lawn maintenance over-seeder unit (weighing about 350 pounds) from the back of a pickup truck using two 2x6 planks. When the running machine unexpectedly fell to one side at the base of the planks, the rotating exposed steel spikes caught the worker's pant leg.
Injury Type : Fracture and other injuries to arms
Core Activity : Marine services
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010165830049
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A young worker was in the wheelhouse of a tugboat that was pulling a 54-foot-long pleasure craft off of a log boom. When a tow point on the pleasure craft failed, the tow rope snapped back through the open door of the wheelhouse and struck the worker.
Injury Type : Sore arm, hand lacerations
Core Activity : Driving to worksite
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010154930155
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

Two work vehicles collided on a corner of a busy resource road. The driver of one of the vehicles, a young worker, sustained minor injuries.
Injury Type : Facial cut
Core Activity : Heavy equipment service and repair
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163710052
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was straightening the lip of a stone hopper when he was struck by a spacer used behind a hydraulic cylinder.
Injury Type : Fractured leg
Core Activity : Ski hill operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010143950086
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

While demonstrating an exercise during a ski lesson, a ski instructor lost control and slid into a tree.
Injury Type : Burns to arms
Core Activity : Food processing plant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010140330009
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

While changing fuses, a worker was exposed to an arc flash.
Injury Type : Undetermined injuries to head (1 worker); injury to arm (1 worker)
Core Activity : Mental health and addictions services
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010163500039
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

As a nurse slid medications into a secure room in the psychiatric intensive care unit, the nurse was assaulted by a patient. The patient repeatedly punched the nurse's head, then slammed it to the floor. A second nurse was injured while trying to free the first nurse from the assault.
Injury Type : Broken leg
Core Activity : Heavy equipment repair
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010147050108
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was using a truck-mounted crane to lift a hydraulic cylinder. The hook assembly failed, and the cylinder fell onto the worker.
Injury Type : Serious burns
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010108320006
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was burned when a building exploded into flames.
Injury Type : Knee injuries
Core Activity : Residential care facility
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010153370089
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker fell while walking down a flight of stairs in a residential care facility.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Installing underground utilities
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010166520098
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A backhoe was digging to expose an underground gas utility. The bucket contacted a pressurized (150 psi) gas line, causing it to rupture.
Injury Type : Exposure to chrysotile asbestos (several workers)
Core Activity : Vehicle servicing
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010157580099
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was servicing a vehicle in a garage bay. The worker used compressed air to clean away brake debris to inspect the trailer's brake shoes. Other workers were in the area at the time. A sample of the brake material was found to contain 20 to 30 percent chrysotile asbestos.
Injury Type : Shoulder injuries
Core Activity : Rock wall construction
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010117640188
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A tracked excavator was being used to remove a piece of rock 75 by 40 by 16 inches. The excavator operator had picked up the rock with the bucket and was holding it in place with the thumb. The machine was rotated until it was almost over the rear tracks when it slid over a retaining wall. The excavator fell 8.5 feet.
Injury Type : Injury to knee
Core Activity : Seismic surveying
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010124490030
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was adjusting the antenna on the GPS unit of the survey tools when he slipped on a snow-covered log.
Injury Type : Injury to knee
Core Activity : Seismic surveying
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010124490030
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A seismic surveyor was adjusting the antenna on the GPS unit of the survey tools when he slipped on a snow-covered log.
Injury Type : Crush injuries to leg
Core Activity : Equipment repair
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010117640187
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A worker was replacing the main lift cylinder of an excavator using a truck-mounted crane. The bolt securing the load hook used to lift the cylinder failed. The cylinder fell and struck the worker.
Injury Type : Blow to the head
Core Activity : Auto service or repair
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010129160983
Date of Incident : 2010-Mar

A bus was elevated on a new automotive hoist. A worker was positioned directly underneath, using a commercial-grade rolling bridge jack to lift the rear axle of the bus. As the rear end of the bus rose, the jack failed. The bus dropped down several inches, striking the worker.
Injury Type : Soft-tissue strains
Core Activity : Residential care facility
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010166860049
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A resident kicked and pushed a care worker, who then fell.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Ski hill
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010143950074
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

An explosive charge detonation resulted in a remote cornice failure that caused an avalanche. The small avalanche stopped 50 metres upslope from the position of 6 avalanche safety workers.
Injury Type : Fractured rib, internal injuries (non-worker)
Core Activity : College, trade school, or vocational school
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010116270077
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A carpentry student climbing up the outside of the ladder rungs of a scaffold either slipped or missed the next step and fell about 15 feet.
Injury Type : Leg injuries
Core Activity : Security services
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010158880060
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

During an outdoor concert, the crowd surged forward when the performers came onto the stage. A crowd control barrier collapsed, injuring a security worker standing between the barrier and the stage.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Mechanical repair
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010129160974
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A mechanic was called to a private property to repair a compact loader. He was later found trapped between the arm and frame of the equipment.
See a hazard alert about another worker who died while working on a skid-steer loader:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Posters.asp?ReportID=35559
Injury Type : Burns; possible inhalation injury
Core Activity : Heavy equipment/machinery servicing and repair
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010109910035
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A worker using a handheld drill with a half-inch bit inadvertently drilled into a compressed oxygen cylinder. A fire resulted from oxygen escaping the ruptured cylinder.
Injury Type : Fatal (non-worker); undetermined injuries (worker)
Core Activity : Meter reading
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010140970080
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A private motor vehicle crossed the centre line of a highway and collided with a commercial pickup truck.
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Hotel
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010138190057
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A person produced a knife while attempting to rob a hotel. Two non-workers disarmed the suspect and held him until police arrived.
Injury Type : Fractured spine
Core Activity : Ski hill operation
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010137290050
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A young worker fell while snowboarding to the base of a ski hill at the end of the work shift.
Injury Type : Bruising and abrasions
Core Activity : Food delivery
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010156240049
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A worker was sent to deliver pizza to a residential address. Upon arrival at the address, the driver was threatened at gunpoint, tied up, and robbed of cash. The driver was located by a co-worker after the store manager noted that the driver had not checked in.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Utility pole installation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010163640032
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A crew was installing a utility pole using a helicopter equipped with a long line. The pole contacted the adjacent 60-kV line, tripping the breaker on the live line.
Injury Type : Electric shock
Core Activity : Tree services
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010154970069
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A young worker was limbing a fir tree. A branch the worker cut off hung up. When the branch was freed, it contacted a 25-kV primary line and the worker received an electric shock.
Injury Type : Exposure to a bloodborne pathogen
Core Activity : Acute care delivery
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010108320024
Date of Incident : 2010-Feb

A worker was assisting an emergency-room physician to insert an intravenous needle in a patient who was unstable and had already removed numerous previous intravenous devices. The patient was also actively seizuring at the time of the intravenous initiation and the primary focus was on securing the intravenous site to ensure that the necessary medications could be administered. The physician withdrew the needle before activating the safety device. As the worker activated the saline lock, one of the worker's fingers sustained a needlestick injury.
Injury Type : Minor laceration to scalp
Core Activity : Power-generating turbine installation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010160850079
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A jig used to position a hydraulic ram, to facilitate the alignment and placement of a wear ring, popped out and struck a worker. The worker was wearing head protection so sustained only a minor injury.
Injury Type : Neck pain, headache
Core Activity : Forklift operation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010146170015
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A forklift was transporting a pallet jack. The operator stopped the forklift and exited the cab to unload the pallet jack. As the pallet jack was unloaded, the lift truck rolled backwards about 4 metres and struck a second lift truck and its operator.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Resort operation
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2010129920038
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A maintenance worker inadvertently added 1 to 2 litres of hydrochloric acid (30-33 percent w/w) to 4 to 5 litres of sodium hypochlorite (10.8 percent w/w) in a 250-litre container. The resulting chlorine gas caused evacuation of the pool area, an emergency response by the fire department, and attendance by the region's hazardous materials response team.
Injury Type : Lacerations, bruising
Core Activity : Retreading tires
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010147230003
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A worker was retreading tires on a semi-trailer when it rolled forward off the hydraulic jacks that were lifting the rear of the truck. Blocking had just been removed from the front tires of the truck, which was running. The truck frame struck the worker, knocked him to the floor, and then rolled forward against him.
Injury Type : Stab wound
Core Activity : Alcohol or drug treatment facility
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010163050009
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A resident stabbed a young worker in the neck with a kitchen knife.
Injury Type : Concussion
Core Activity : Residential social service facility
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2010146170004
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A worker was putting out garbage early in the morning when an intruder assaulted and rendered the worker unconscious.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Tree trimming
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010111970002
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

As a worker was cutting limbs from a cottonwood tree, one limb fell onto 14-kV conductors. The conductors swayed together, making a phase-to-phase contact.
Injury Type : Fractured leg
Core Activity : Forest management services
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2010156160031
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

Two workers were on a snow machine built for 2-up riding. When the sled slipped off the hard-pack trail onto softer snow, one worker's foot dislodged from the running board and was snapped back against the hard-pack trail.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Safety training course
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2010124120008
Date of Incident : 2010-Jan

A worker was participating in the field portion of an occupational ice safety technician course. Just before the final open-water crossing, the worker collapsed forward onto the ice and could not be revived.


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