WorkSafeBC has levied a $10,000 fine against a Prince George business over improper handling of wood dust.
According to a posting on the agency's website, an inspection of Hyon Bedding Ltd. revealed accumulations of the material throughout the facility "including near ignition sources such as heaters and lighting fixtures."
"In addition, workers were observed working in areas of the warehouse and outbuildings with collapsed, unstable walls and roofs," the agency added.
WorkSafeBC issued a stop-work order for these areas.
The fine was levied in September 2020 and it was the second time in roughly 18 months that Hyon had been fined. The first occurred in April 2019 over a similar matter and the levy was $5,000 at that time.
Also, three businesses were fined after inspectors found employees exposed to falls without proper protection in place:
- Ridgeline Roofing Inc. was fined $5,244.52 in December 2020 after workers were were seen wearing fall protection harnesses but were not connected to lifelines while removing shingles from a peaked roof, risking a fall of more than 7.6 metres (25 feet)
- T. & L. Electric Ltd. was fined $3,423.11 in January after workers were seen on a stepladder on a garage roof, against a second-storey wall without protection while exposed to a fall of at least three metres (10 feet).
- 973126 Alberta Ltd. / Supreme Structures was fined $2,500 in October 2020 when four of ther firm's workers were seen on the sloped roof of a public building under construction wearing protection harnesses but not connected to lifelines risking a 6.7-metre (22-foot) fall.
