An Alberta-based excavation contractor has been fined $2,500 by WorkSafeBC after two workers were injured and a gas line was severed at a work site in Peachland.
Rockhard Excavating incurred the fine after WorkSafeBC attended its work site on May 6. The inspection took place at 4444 5th St., where work was being done on phase two of the Peachland Seniors Support Society's seniors' affordable housing project.
The inspection followed a report that the workers had been injured while conducting work on a water main, according to a recently published WorkSafeBC penalty notice.
A WorkSafeBC inspection report says three workers were removing a cap assembly from an eight-inch water main in preparation to install an elbow when something went wrong.
"The built-up pressure in the water main caused the cap assembly to release from the pipe in an explosive manner, causing serious injuries to one worker and injuring another. One worker was uninjured," the report states.
It was deemed the employer had failed to ensure the water main was checked to see there was no pressure in the system before removing the cap assembly.
WorkSafeBC found that during previous excavation work to install the water main, the firm's excavator had struck and severed a gas line, causing an uncontrolled release of natural gas.
"The firm failed to ensure that, before excavating with powered equipment, it accurately determined the location of underground utility services and controlled any danger to workers. This was a repeated and high-risk violation," reads the penalty notice.
WorkSafeBC issued two Occupational Health and Safety orders to Rockhard Excavating, which the Edmonton-based company complied with.
