WorkSafeBC imposes maximum penalty of $710,488 for asbestos violations

GFL Environmental Inc. has received a penalty of $710,488, for 'failure to provide workers with personal protective equipment when conducting asbestos abatement work.'

The single largest penalty ever imposed by WorkSafeBC has been handed to a Canadian company that was hired to provide demolition services, WorkSafeBC officials announced Friday.

GFL Environmental Inc. has received a penalty of $710,488, for “failure to provide workers with personal protective equipment when conducting asbestos abatement work.”

The penalty stems from unsafe practices at a Kimberly, B.C., work site.

WorkSafeBC officials inspected the site of a fire-damaged commercial building, which was assumed to be cross-contaminated with materials containing asbestos.

Officials observed a worker inside a containment area, loading debris into disposal bins with an excavator.

“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,” WorkSafeBC officials said, in a release.

“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.”