Canadian Occupational Safety Magazine reports an example of two B.C. employers receiving significant penalties for vehicle safety violations. Qualified Contractors Limited of Surrey and BNN Enterprises Limited of Pitt Meadows both failed to properly maintain farm worker transportation vehicles.
In addition to the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, employers are bound by the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation. Section 17.2 requires that the employer must insure that any defects that might affect the safety of the workers be repaired before the vehicle is used.
The following information was reported by WorkSafeBC's penalty search:
Firm: Qualified Contractors Ltd.
Worksite: Surrey
Current amount: $7,093.66
Date imposed: October 25, 2021
WorkSafeBC inspected this firm’s farm worker transport vehicle in collaboration with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement (CVSE) branch. A number of safety deficiencies were observed, including cargo that wasn’t secured, non-compliant lighting, a cracked windshield, and worn tire axles. WorkSafeBC determined a proper pre-trip vehicle inspection hadn’t been conducted, and issued a stop-use order for the vehicle. The firm failed to ensure that vehicles used to transport workers were maintained and operated in a safe manner. This was a repeated violation.
Review or appeal status: Review Division: Request for review received
Sector: Primary Resources
Classification unit: Farm labour supply or farm services
Updated to: December 31, 2021
Firm: B N N Enterprises Ltd.
Worksite: Pitt Meadows
Current amount: $5,000.00
Date imposed: October 25, 2021
WorkSafeBC had inspected this firm's worker transportation vehicle, and issued a stop-use order for the vehicle until critical repairs were made. During a follow-up inspection, WorkSafeBC determined that the repairs had not been made and the firm had used the vehicle in violation of the stop-use order. The firm failed to comply with a WorkSafeBC order.
Sector: Primary Resources
Classification unit: Berry farming
Updated to: December 31, 2021
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