The single most significant penalty ever in Canada has been handed down to a Toronto-based demolition services company, according to the health and safety office, WorkSafeBC.
The company, GFL Environmental Inc, is required to pay a penalty of $710,488 for “failure to provide workers with personal protective equipment when conducting asbestos abatement work,” which relates to unsafe practices at a Kimberly worksite in BC.
The site was a fire-damaged commercial building, which was likely to be cross-contaminated with asbestos-containing materials. The officials, during the inspection, observed a worker inside a containment area, using an excavator to load the debris into disposal bins.
According to WorkSafeBC, “The worker was not wearing personal protective equipment to protect against exposure to asbestos-containing materials and exited the excavator, still within the containment area, without PPE.”
“The (demolition company) 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 firm failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety.”
According to WorkSafeBC, asbestos is the number one cause of occupational disease in the province.
“Of the 161 work-related deaths in 2021, 99 deaths were related to occupational disease,” the report said. “Asbestos exposure was the contributing factor in 53 work-related deaths in 2021.”