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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

2009 - (updated October 19, 2009)

Injury Type : Ammonia inhalation (2 workers)  
Core Activity : Fruit or vegetable packing and storage
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009095610350
Date of Incident : 2009-Aug

Two workers inhaled ammonia released from a faulty isolation valve on a roof-mounted compressor.
Injury Type : Exposure to a noxious substance  
Core Activity : Oil or gas operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160530256
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

Someone threw a rock through the window of an office, then released a noxious substance (suspected to be pepper spray) into the office. When workers arrived at the office, they experienced throat and nose irritation and started coughing. All workers were sent home.
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace  
Core Activity : Resort operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160530249
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A former employee came to a workplace while intoxicated and provoked a heated discussion with a worker. The worker felt threatened and left the area to get help from a supervisor. No injuries were sustained.
Injury Type : Fractured shoulder, broken ribs  
Core Activity : Tree topping
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009129160809
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

To top a tree, a worker was on an extension ladder leaned against the tree, about 20 feet above grade. When the cut was completed, the top of the tree fell and struck the worker. The worker then fell to the ground.
Injury Type : Possible toxic inhalation  
Core Activity : Equipment service
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2009163790081
Date of Incident : 2009-May

A worker sprayed an aerosol rust preservative onto an engine cylinder head. The worker suffered discomfort and a sore throat from fumes.
Injury Type : Injured shoulder  
Core Activity : Heavy equipment repair
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009163730210
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A worker was working on the engine of a truck parked uphill on a very steep incline. A strong gust of wind pushed the hood down onto the worker, knocking him to the ground.
Injury Type : Fatal (non-worker)  
Core Activity : Whitewater rafting
Location : Northern BC
ID Number : 2009139050058
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

On a whitewater rafting trip, two rafts spilled guests and one guide into the river. One guest drowned.
Injury Type : Close call  
Core Activity : Delivery of rental equipment
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009165570067
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A truck was towing a trailer with an extendable boom forklift on it. When the truck turned left, the trailer dislodged from the truck, overturned, and landed on its side at the edge of the road.
Injury Type : Bruising to head, neck, back, hands
Core Activity : Acute care facility
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009116080316
Date of Incident : 2009-Aug

At an acute care facility, a psychiatric patient leapt over the intake-area counter and repeatedly punched a nurse.
Injury Type : Arm and chest pain
Core Activity : Research diving
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009122700182
Date of Incident : 2009-Aug

A worker was in the boat after completing a second dive when he experienced arm and chest pains.
Injury Type : Serious burns to arm, neck
Core Activity : Auto service
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009120030336
Date of Incident : 2009-Aug

As a worker was removing antifreeze from a radiator, the upper radiator hose dislodged from the engine.
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009156240229
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A thief claiming to be armed with a gun demanded money from a restaurant cashier. The cashier handed over the money from the cash register and the thief left.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Lawn maintenance
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160850151
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A tractor lawn mower ejected a rock (1.5-inch circumference) through the open door of an adjacent building. The rock narrowly missed three workers at the reception desk before striking a computer.
Injury Type : Crush injuries
Core Activity : Cruise ship operations
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009161950510
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A worker was using a chain hoist (half-ton capacity) to install a loading bay work platform on the port side of a cruise ship. The steel platform (about 500 kg) was dislodged and fell from its position, striking and pinning the worker on the ship's deck.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Tree removal
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009034450217
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

Bug-killed pine was being removed using a 35-ton telescoping boom crane, which was set up on a 16 percent slope with plywood sheets under the wooden pads. The crane's hook was attached to the top of a pine. As the pine was cut, the crane lifted and then swung the cut section (15 feet long) from the right rear quadrant of the crane to the right front quadrant. The crane became unstable, its outriggers slipped off the pads, and the crane slid 20 feet downhill. The outriggers dug into the soil and the load, acting as a pendulum, pulled the crane onto its left side. The boom crushed a parked car. It took two cranes more than a day to get the flipped crane back up.
Injury Type : Injuries to ribs, lung, shoulder
Core Activity : Tree trimming
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157600154
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

A worker was on a ladder, trimming branches off a maple tree. As one branch was cut, it fell against the ladder, and the worker fell about 20 feet to the ground.
Injury Type : Burns
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009163050155
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

As a worker was lighting a charbroiler in the kitchen of a restaurant, a flashover occurred. Propane had accumulated in the lines after a first attempt to light the charbroiler.
Injury Type : Chest and back injuries (2 workers)
Core Activity : Ambulance operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009112850176
Date of Incident : 2009-Jul

During an emergency call, an ambulance was involved in a motor vehicle crash. Both paramedics in the vehicle were injured.
Injury Type : Concussion, back injury
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009108620110
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A worker fell about 8 feet from a stepladder.
Injury Type : Possible high-voltage contact
Core Activity : Pressure washing exterior of building
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009114550167
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A worker was in a boom lift, about 24 feet above grade, pressure washing the outside of a building. A passerby noticed the worker in distress and called emergency responders. Burn marks on the lift (one on a tire and rim, and the other on a tie-down hook) suggest that an electrical contact occurred.
Injury Type : Broken ribs, fractured vertebrae
Core Activity : Film production
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009110210086
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

While re-patching cable, a worker fell 11 feet from a raised platform.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Landscaping
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009161970066
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A mini-excavator struck and severed a 2-inch residential gas line on a residential lot.
Injury Type : Exposure to engine exhaust gases, including carbon monoxide (2 workers, including 1 young worker)
Core Activity : Pressure washing underground parkade
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009107200090
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

Two workers (one of them a young worker) were using gas-powered pressure washers in an underground parkade. After about 3 hours of pressure washing, one worker called the supervisor and reported feeling ill. The fire department attended and measured hazardous levels of carbon monoxide (up to 500 ppm) in the parkade.
Read a hazard alert about two carpet cleaners who died from exposure to carbon monoxide:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Posters.asp?reportid=34979
Injury Type : Bruising on chest and stomach
Core Activity : Tree removal
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157530175
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

As a worker was topping a tree, the trunk split open below the undercut. The worker was pulled into the tree and pinned there by his harness. The tree top broke off, releasing the worker. The worker was then shaken down the tree about 6 feet until he regained his grip around the tree.
Injury Type : Injury to leg
Core Activity : Vacuum truck operation
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009159110223
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A worker was vacuuming the water reservoir of a stone-cutting machine when the vacuum hose snagged two nearby stone slabs standing on edge on a wheeled A-frame cart. The stone slabs (a countertop and a desktop) started to tip off the A-frame. The worker tried to stabilize the slabs by putting his leg against them but they fell over onto his leg.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009156730233
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A vehicle drove through the wall of a restaurant and struck but did not injure a customer. The driver of the vehicle inadvertently hit the gas instead of the brakes while parking.
Injury Type : Hand laceration
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009155980211
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A young worker acting in self-defence sustained a small cut from a knife used by two men robbing a restaurant.
Injury Type : Internal injuries, fractures, contusions
Core Activity : Gardening work
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009117670132
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A worker was loading a trailer that was hitched to a pickup truck. The worker had moved the truck forward and exited the cab when the truck started to roll downhill. The worker tried to re-enter the moving truck and was run over by the trailer.
Injury Type : Head injury
Core Activity : Pizza delivery
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009112010012
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

A delivery worker was struck by a motor vehicle while crossing a public street.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Swimming pool operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009112850149
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

Chlorine gas was released into a containment room after a vacuum regulator malfunctioned. Contaminants from the chlorine tank had created a blockage affecting the regulator diaphragm.
Injury Type : Inhalation of chlorine gas (1 worker, 3 non-workers)
Core Activity : Pool service
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009093690174
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

Pool chemicals containing hydrochloric acid and sodium hypochlorite were inadvertently mixed, resulting in the release of chlorine gas. One worker and three non-workers were exposed to unknown concentrations of chlorine gas.
Injury Type : Minor burns (2 workers)
Core Activity : Truck maintenance
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009109750068
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

An oxyacetylene torch set was involved in a fire that destroyed its acetylene regulator and a short section of hose. The pressure relief valve on the acetylene tank opened, venting acetylene to the atmosphere. Workers used portable fire extinguishers to put out the acetylene fire.
Injury Type : Possible exposure to ozone (3 workers)
Core Activity : Institutional kitchen
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009146490041
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

Two kitchen workers may have been exposed to ozone, generated by UV irradiator lamps in the kitchen exhaust hood, when the hood exhaust fan failed. A worker in an adjacent room may also have been exposed. The three workers evacuated the area when symptoms of exposure (headache, dizziness, coughing, lightheadedness) were noticed; they were taken to hospital.
Injury Type : Minor burn to the hand
Core Activity : Auto service or repair
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009122700103
Date of Incident : 2009-Jun

Gasoline that spilled from a container used to empty a gas tank was ignited by a spark from an adjacent vehicle bay. The resulting fire destroyed an auto repair building and its contents.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Landscaping
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009161970016
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

The bucket of a rubber-tracked mini-excavator struck and severed a gas line 12 inches below sub-grade. The location of underground utilities had not been accurately determined before work began.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Test hole drilling
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009154960187
Date of Incident : 2009-May

During overdrilling in an existing borehole, the hollow-stem auger struck a 2-inch natural gas line. The resulting natural gas leak was later repaired.
Injury Type : Burns
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009165870024
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

A young worker slipped on a freshly mopped floor and put both hands on the grill to break his fall.
Injury Type : Exposure to asbestos (2 workers)
Core Activity : Food processing plant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009161970020
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

Two workers entered an attic area insulated with asbestos-containing material. Unaware that the material contained asbestos, the workers disturbed it. They were not using any type of personal protective equipment.
Injury Type : Fractured skull and arm; leg injury; numerous lacerations
Core Activity : Heli-skiing
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009155980157
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

While guiding skiers, a heli-ski guide was caught in an avalanche. He deployed his snowpulse avalanche air bag, which prevented him from being buried by the snow.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Auto service and repair
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009070890042
Date of Incident : 2009-May

A mechanic was changing the oil of a short-box pickup truck. As the oil drained, the truck tipped slowly backward, pivoting on the rear-facing support arms of a hoist with an 8,000-pound capacity. The contents of the truck box were hidden by a security cover; they included a full load of plumbing tools and supplies.
Injury Type : Puncture wound to arm
Core Activity : Public school district
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009165570016
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

A student in a vocational program was using a pneumatic nailer to nail floor joist blocking. A nail deflected and struck the student.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Gutter installation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157530122
Date of Incident : 2009-May

Two young workers were positioning a new 52-foot-long gutter on a roof when it contacted a 14.4-kV power line. One of the young workers sustained a fatal electrical injury.
See a slideshow about another incident in which a worker died while installing gutters:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/publications/multimedia/ slideshows.asp?ReportID=34909
Injury Type : Cracked vertebrae
Core Activity : Electrical utilities
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009117930067
Date of Incident : 2009-May

During a training exercise, a worker was descending a 40-foot wooden utility pole. He was about 20 feet up when he fell to the ground.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Shrink-wrapping of scaffolding
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009158880152
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

Workers were applying a shrink-wrap tarp to a scaffold 7 storeys high. A gust of wind tore the tarp from the workers' grasp and wrapped it around a 12-kV power line. The wind then pulled the tarp and power line into a second power line, causing the first line to melt and fall to the ground while still energized.
Injury Type : Fractured wrist
Core Activity : Hotel food service
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009110750314
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

While carrying a pail of food to the cooler, a worker fell.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Maintenance of underwater intake grate
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009160850076
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

A 24-foot aluminum diving boat, secured by a two-point moor to a bridge over a river, overturned while the 4-person crew was conducting diving operations. No one was injured.
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009156730096
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

At about 4:00 a.m., several shots were fired into a restaurant, and a slogan concerning the Bar Watch program was painted on the exterior wall.
Injury Type : Amputated fingertip
Core Activity : Electronic equipment set-up
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009110750201
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

As a worker lowered the powered tailgate on a cube van, one finger was caught between the tailgate and the frame of the truck.
Injury Type : Exposure to hydrocarbon vapours
Core Activity : Service station
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009157580056
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

Workers inside a service station experienced symptoms of exposure to hydrocarbon vapours, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Several days earlier, a gasoline spill occurred during a tank truck delivery to the service station. Hydrocarbon vapours had migrated through the ground and entered the service station building through a conduit opening in the foundation.
Injury Type : Fractured leg
Core Activity : Forklift tire repair
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009137102742
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

A worker was repairing a flat tire on a forklift. To raise the forklift, he placed his jack on a 5,000-pound counterweight that was not bolted to the machine. The counterweight lifted up and away from the forklift, leaving the propane tank hose holding it in place while resting outward on a steel counterweight support member. Another worker identified the hazard of the stretching propane connection hose and released the latches on the propane-securing harness, causing the counterweight to fall and strike the worker repairing the tire.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Building maintenance
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009154890021
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

While working on an electrical distribution panel for internal lighting (347 volts), a worker contacted a live terminal with needle-nose pliers. The distribution panel had not been disconnected and locked out as required.
Injury Type : Injuries to head
Core Activity : Automotive repairs
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009154900009
Date of Incident : 2009-Feb

As a worker was repairing the air brake system of a tractor-trailer, he inadvertently cut the clamp on the brake pod. The chamber, which was not caged, sprung off the base of the pod and struck the worker.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Utility pole installation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009163050038
Date of Incident : 2009-Feb

Workers were hand digging to expose a known gas line in a location where a new utility pole was to be installed. A backhoe was cleaning debris from the excavation. As the backhoe knuckled, the outside tooth, which was on an angle, nicked the 1.25-inch gas line. The site was immediately vacated and secured, and no one was injured.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Emergency response services
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2008139860051
Date of Incident : 2008-Apr

A worker was driving an ambulance on a routine (non-emergency) call. The worker suffered acute seizure, and the ambulance struck several parked vehicles. The worker was fatally injured in the accident.
Injury Type : Hand lacerations and fractures (non-worker)
Core Activity : Mass copying of compact discs
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009139860094
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

A non-worker was watching a compact disc/industrial-sized printer in production. The non-worker reached for a falling CD and got his hand caught in the machine.
Injury Type : Fractured ankle
Core Activity : Movie theatre
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009120030186
Date of Incident : 2009-Apr

While changing sign letters, a worker fell about 6 feet to the ground from a 13-foot aluminum extension ladder.
Injury Type : Concussion (1 worker); crush injuries (1 worker)
Core Activity : Long-term care
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009154900018
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

During load testing of a newly installed ceiling lift, the support anchor failed. The test load fell onto a young worker. A second worker came to assist the first worker and was struck by the falling ceiling track.
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Cheque cashing business
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009143950046
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

A masked person brandishing a handgun entered a store and demanded that the worker get money from the safe. The robber left the store when the money was handed over.
Injury Type : Gunshot wounds (1 worker, 1 non-worker)
Core Activity : Long-term care facility
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009124770055
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

A resident of a long-term care facility shot one worker and shot at another. The police then shot the resident.
Injury Type : Electrical burns
Core Activity : Utility pole installation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009156580107
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

During preparations to install a new utility pole, pole claws at the tip of the boom on a utility truck contacted an energized 25-kV line. The current injured a worker leaning against the truck.
Injury Type : Close call
Core Activity : Taking soil samples
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157270025
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

While taking soil samples, an excavator ruptured a 3/4-inch propane line, causing an uncontrolled release of propane gas. A site survey had been completed, but this line had not been identified.
Injury Type : Tuberculosis
Core Activity : Community health care
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009150180033
Date of Incident : 2008-May

Since May 2008, tuberculosis (TB) cases have increased in the Central Okanagan. The risk level for an acute care facility was raised from low to moderate. One worker at this location has converted positive for tuberculosis.
Injury Type : Tuberculosis
Core Activity : Community health care
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009150180030
Date of Incident : 2008-May

In 2008, an increase in tuberculosis (TB) cases occurred in the Central Okanagan. A worker at an acute care facility has tested positive for TB, and the source of exposure is being investigated.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Home support
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009163500112
Date of Incident : 2009-Mar

A home care worker was travelling between client sites in a snowstorm. The vehicle left the road, went down a steep embankment, and struck a tree, fatally injuring the worker.
Injury Type : Exposure to pepper spray
Core Activity : Public school
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009131490061
Date of Incident : 2009-Feb

Someone discharged pepper spray into a school gymnasium occupied by students and one staff member. The school was evacuated, emergency personnel treated the worker and students affected, and exhaust fans were used to ventilate the gym.
Injury Type : Fractures, dislocations, lacerations
Core Activity : Waste water treatment plant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009112850039
Date of Incident : 2009-Feb

The upper half (only) of an extension ladder was being used on a concrete floor. The ladder stood at an angle steeper than 1 horizontal to 4 vertical. The plastic end caps of the ladder's feet slid, and the worker on the ladder fell about 15 feet to the concrete.
See a series of posters about safe set-up of ladders:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/StartSafe-Ladders.asp
Injury Type : Violence in the workplace
Core Activity : Restaurant
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009116120046
Date of Incident : 2009-Feb

After a restaurant closed, one restaurant worker was leaving the workplace when an assailant placed a cord around the worker's neck from behind. The worker kicked back and the assailant fled on foot.
Injury Type : Fractured bone
Core Activity : Ski hill operation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009114550033
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

A worker on a snowmobile was travelling up one side of a ski run while a winch cat was grooming the other side of the run. The winch cat operator had released the tension on the winch cable, allowing the cable to sink into the snow. As the snowmobile reached the top of the run, one of its skis caught the cable. The snowmobile became unstable and the worker on it was ejected.
Injury Type : Fatal
Core Activity : Auto salvage
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009112850029
Date of Incident : 2009-Feb

A worker was working beneath a pickup truck supported on two aluminum tire rims lying flat, one stacked on top of the other. He was removing parts when the truck shifted and fell onto him, causing fatal crushing injuries.
Injury Type : Fractured foot, internal injuries
Core Activity : Delivery of parts to customer
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009120030039
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

An auto service worker (a young worker) was delivering parts to a customer when his vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle accident.
Injury Type : Burns (5 non-workers)
Core Activity : Automotive education
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009155980037
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

Students melted aluminum to pour into a mould to produce an aluminum cylinder for use on a lathe. They placed the mould outside on the snow, and made several attempts to level it. When a student began the pour, the molten aluminum erupted. The student dropped the crucible and the molten metal splashed onto 5 students. There was likely moisture in the mould, which would have caused the molten aluminum to erupt.
Injury Type : Exposure to a hazardous substance
Core Activity : Acute care
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009157580014
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

A worker was in a decontamination room changing the glutaraldehyde solution in a cold sterilization tub. The tub had been drained. When the new solution was added, it leaked from the tub and spilled outside of the local exhaust hood and onto the floor. Workers in the room were exposed to glutaraldehyde vapours.
Injury Type : Possible exposure to airborne asbestos fibres (2 workers)
Core Activity : Hotel operation
Location : Central Interior
ID Number : 2009157580013
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

During building renovations, two workers were installing electrical wiring and panelling. They cut through some drywall and disturbed plaster behind it that contained chrysotile asbestos. Both workers may have been exposed to airborne asbestos fibres because there were no precautions to control the release of asbestos fibres and no respiratory protection was worn.
Read a WorkSafe bulletin about the hazard of asbestos during renovations:
http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Posters.asp?ReportID=34222
Injury Type : Upper body fractures and lacerations
Core Activity : Auto service and repair
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009128230025
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

A worker was polishing an item with a metal lathe when the item struck him.
Injury Type : Lacerations, bruising, stiffness
Core Activity : Ski hill operation
Location : Lower Mainland
ID Number : 2009157270008
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

A worker was widening an alpine ski traverse with a snowcat when a category 3 avalanche occurred. The snowcat was swept about 100 metres downhill but remained upright and was buried only about halfway up the doors.
Injury Type : Multiple fractures, internal injuries
Core Activity : Tree services
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009137290019
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

A manual faller was struck by the tree he was falling.
Injury Type : Crush injuries, bruising, lacerations (3 non-workers)
Core Activity : Post-secondary education
Location : Vancouver Island
ID Number : 2009140060003
Date of Incident : 2009-Jan

Students were on an educational outing at a horticultural centre. As students were dumping bales of peat into a soil-mixing hopper, the hopper fell over. The steel hopper was 8 feet tall and weighed about 500 pounds.


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"Service Sector" incidents from other dates