B.C. Hydro fighting $678,000 fine after worker seriously injured near Revelstoke

WorkSafe B.C. has issued a $678,889 fine to B.C. Hydro following an incident near Revelstoke.

The date of the incident wasn’t included in a WorkSafe B.C. news release issued today, May 11, but it does say the fine was imposed yesterday.

Hydro crews were replacing spacers and insulators on a transmission tower when one worker received an electrical shock that resulted in a serious injury, the release says.

“WorkSafe B.C. determined the conductor had not been completely isolated before work began,” the release says.

“The employer failed to ensure that acceptable written safe work procedures were followed where isolating high-voltage electrical equipment was not practicable. The employer also failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. These were both high-risk violations.”

Hydro has filed a request with WorkSafe B.C.’s Review Division to have the administrative penalty reviewed.

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