The B.C. government has been slapped with a $710,000-penalty over “unsafe” wildfire prevention work — an amount it deems “disproportionately high” and intends to appeal.
The recently published WorkSafeBC decision is dated Oct. 26, and relates to a worksite in the Wonowon area where tree falling and wildfire fuel reduction activities were being conducted.
“WorkSafeBC inspected the worksite and observed evidence of unsafe falling cuts, including stumps with insufficient holding wood,” a summary of the penalty states.
“WorkSafeBC also determined that the employer did not verify faller certification and did not actively monitor work, as required by its falling safety program.”
The decision states that the provincial employer also failed to ensure all activities at the site were planned and conducted to be consistent with regulations and safe work practices.
It was not immediately clear if the ruling involved crews with the BC Wildfire Service or contractors.
In an emailed statement, the Ministry of Forests said it agrees “improvements are warranted.” It’s reviewing its safety and contracting procedures to ensure all contractors meet requirements to be fully certified to undertake hazardous work, like falling trees, it added.
“We are disappointed by what happened. Everyone should be able to perform their work safely,” the Ministry of Forests said. “We are taking action, working with all contractors and sub-contractors to ensure we meet the high standards we always strive to achieve.”
However, the ministry described the $710,000-penalty amount as “arbitrary,” as it was “calculated using the entire Government of B.C.’s payroll for what we believe should be a specific location infraction.”
“The Ministry of Forests will appeal the amount of the penalty to ensure it is appropriate for the level of work carried out and region that that it occurred in,” it said.
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