WorkSafeBC fines clean-up company $700K after Kimberley building fire

A company hired to clean up after a fire at a building in Kimberley has been fined more than $700,000 after a worker was found not to be wearing protective clothing.

WorkSafeBC handed the $710,488 fine to GFL Environmental after it found a worker at the fire-damaged commercial building loading debris into disposal bins with an excavator and was not wearing personal protective equipment.

According to an Aug. 2 WorkSafeBC decision, the large Canadian firm was hired to clean up after a commercial fire in Kimberley at a building suspected to be contaminated with asbestos.

The WorkSafeBC decision says it observed the worker using an excavator without wearing personal protective equipment. The worker then exited the excavator in the containment area without wearing personal protective equipment.

"The firm failed to ensure the worker within the designated work area wore appropriate protective clothing, and that its workers at risk of exposure to asbestos were instructed in the use of PPE and work procedures to be followed," the decision reads. "The firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. These were all high-risk violations."

No other details were given in the decision.

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