City of Kelowna fined $75,000 by WorkSafeBC

KELOWNA – The City of Kelowna has been fined $75,000 for what WorkSafeBC calls “high risk violations.”

The fine was imposed June 23 for work done by an unnamed prime contractor for the city on an unnamed road realignment project. According to WorkSafeBC report, “the firm allowed the signal arm of a light standard to be installed 2.3 metres away from exposed overhead energized 12.4 kV conductors.”

The Workers Compensation Act requires power lines be a minimum of 3 m from any other installations.

“WorkSafeBC's inspection of the jobsite found that among other deficiencies, the firm failed to ensure that risk assessments were performed before the work began, and failed to ensure that subcontracted workers at the site received safety orientations and attended safety meetings,” the WorkSafeBC website says. “These were high risk violations.”

The City of Kelowna has filed an appeal.

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