All of the Fraser Valley’s top fines were handed out on worksites in Chilliwack and Mission in 2021. The list contains an asbestos abatement company, a transport company, and three construction companies.

Number 1: Pinnacle Hazmat, $40,000, Chilliwack worksite

The Delta-based company, Pinnacle Hazmat, was fined $40,000 on May 25, after WorkSafeBC inspected two houses that were set for demolition that the company was performing an asbestos abatement on.

A stop-work order was issued after inspectors observed deficiencies in how asbestos-containing materials were being handled. The company failed to provide a ventailated containment area that was checked for airborne asbestos fibres, and failed cover work areas with plastic sheets or hire a qualified person to confirm the asbestos was contained or removed.

Its employees had not received the proper information, instruction, training, and supervision for their protection, WorkSafeBC said.

This is Pinnacle Hazmat’s largest fine to date, having received five fines in 2020, totalling $13,750.

Number 2: Denbow Transport, $29,854, Chilliwack worksite

Chilliwack-based Denbow Transport was fined $29,854 on Jan. 5, after a “close call incident,” in which a dump truck hit a low-voltage power line, prompted an inspection.

WorkSafeBC fined the company for manually removing the down powerline from the truck without making sure it was de-energized, not giving the driver or workers proper safety orientations, and failing to disconnect low-voltage electrical equipment before working on it.

This is the company’s only fine to date.

Number 3: J & J Framing, $29,425, Mission worksite

Aldergrove-based J & J Framing was fined $29,425 on May 19 after a worker was observed on a two-level commercial construction site without any fall protection system in place.

The worker was installing roof sheeting, and was exposed to a 22-foot fall. WorkSafeBC issued a stop-work order.

This is a repeated high-risk violation, as J & J Framing has been fined seven other times since 2014 for workers not having fall protection, totalling over $90,000.

Number 4: SD Roofing, $20,000, Mission worksite

Abbotsford-based SD Roofing was fined $20,000 on June 10, after three workers were observed on a sloped roof of a three-storey house without any fall protection system in place.

They were installing a membrane at the time and were exposed to a 27-foot fall. A stop work order was issued for the lack of protection; the workers had also not received proper safety and health orientations

This is a repeated high-risk violation, as SD Roofing has been fined 3 other times since 2018 for workers not having fall protections, totalling $17,500.

Number 5: Sun City Framing, $20,000, Mission worksite

Abbotsford-based Sun City Framing was fined $20,000 on Mar. 23, after two workers were observed on a sloped roof of a two-storey construction site without any fall protection system in place, as well as another two workers on a lower-flat roof with protection.

They were exposed to a 24-foot fall and 12-foot fall, respectively, and one of the workers was a company representative. The workers had also not received proper safety and health orientations.

This is a repeated violation, as Sun City Framing has been fined two other times since 2018 for workers not having fall protections, totalling $7,500.

RELATED: WorkSafeBC calls on construction industry to protect its workers

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