Kamloops tire shop fined $8,400 for violations that led to teen’s death

Brendan Stokes was 19 years old when he went to work for Kamloops Tirecraft and didn’t come home.

On June 29, 2018, Stokes was working at a location on the 10200 block of Dallas Drive and was cleaning a wheel hub on a Caterpillar wheel loader that was suspended by a hydraulic jack. The loader fell off the jack and onto Stokes killing him.

An investigation by WorkSafeBC has found Kamloops Tirecraft, also known as Kamloops Tire Ltd., failed to meet various safety requirements and had several violations.

The company failed to service the loader as was specified in the manufacturers’ instructions or as specified by an engineer, and they also did not make sure the hydraulic jack was used in accordance with the instructions.

The WorkSafeBC investigation found Tirecraft hadn’t provided its employees with the information, training, instruction and supervision necessary for health and safety, and the investigation also determined the company did not establish safe working procedures for the service and removal of mobile equipment tires.

The WorkSafeBC investigation also found the company had committed repeat violations in relation to new workers. Tirecraft had failed to give adequate orientation and training to new, young workers and didn’t keep records of any orientation or training the employees had.

All of the violations against the company are considered to be high risk. Kamloops Tirecraft was fined $8,403.52.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jenna Wheeler or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.