Three Metro Vancouver companies have been fined nearly $11,400 combined for a series of safety violations at three separate Coquitlam worksites.
The penalties were recently published online by WorkSafeBC.
All the firms, working on two-storey residences, were setback significant funds for exposing employees to fall risks.
Two received stop-work orders from the provincial watchdog for inadequate safety measures, including one for failing to prevent the spread of asbestos during demolition.
20 feet
Upper Roofing Ltd. was ticketed the highest amount of the latest three at a total of $5,000.
WorkSafeBC said the Langley company exposed workers to a potential 20-foot fall while conducting steep slope roofing at a Coquitlam house.
Inspectors saw two workers with no fall protection in place, which is considered "a high-risk violation."
"The firm also failed to ensure ladders were sufficiently secured to ensure stability," WorkSafeBC's statement reads.
"In addition, the firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety. These were all repeated violations."
It added the non-use of fall protection is an "ongoing issue" across the province, resulting in 28 deaths and nearly 5,900 injuries in the past five years
Upper Roofing's fine was handed down on March 28.
It's the sixth known violation against the company, according to WorkSafeBC's public records, and the second highest total since 2013..
Asbestos dust
Meanwhile, a pre-1990 house in Coquitlam was slated for demolition by H & B Construction Ltd., sent to conduct abatement of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
However, a stop-work order was issued and the Vancouver business was fined $3,869.50 — also on March 28 — for failing to prevent the spread of asbestos dust and debris.
WorkSafeBC's report states the firm had an inadequate containment ventilation system "to ensure inward airflow and to wet ACMs before and during work."
This also included unsecured openings throughout the residence, the agency added, which presented several health and safety deficiencies.
As well, H & B Construction exposed its workers to a 10-foot fall risk and didn't provide information, training or supervision.
Framing fall risk
The second stop-work order was issued to a Delta company for creating a fall risk of 12 feet at its Coquitlam worksite.
Great Mann Construction Ltd. was setback $2,524.03 for failing to issue proper protection to its employees while conducting framing work at a two-storey house.
Two workers were seen on the second level of the home by WorkSafeBC during its inspection, and they were also in the sight of a firm representative.
The report said this was a repeated "high-risk" violation and no instruction or supervision was provided.
Great Mann Construction was issued the fine on Feb. 28.
