WorkSafeBC has fined EllisDon Corporation and EllisDon Westpro Construction Ltd. $688,589.56 following two separate incidents where crane loads fell due to inadequate lifting plans and inspections.
The penalty, imposed Oct. 31, marks a repeated and high-risk violation of the firm’s duties as prime contractor at multiple-employer worksites.
First incident
At a Victoria worksite where EllisDon served as prime contractor, a crane was moving steel canopy components from a balcony to a lower level when the rigging sling failed. The sling was cut by the sharp edge of a canopy section and the load fell.
WorkSafeBC determined the firm had not ensured detailed lifting plans were developed by contractors before the lift began.
Second incident
At a second EllisDon worksite, a tower crane lost its load while lifting core box formwork. Inspectors found the lift plans lacked details for handling multi-connected formwork panels and no system existed for inspecting work methods associated with safe rigging and lifting.
In both incidents, EllisDon had not reviewed the lift plans before lifting began.
Prime contractor obligations
As prime contractor at multiple-employer workplaces, the firm failed to do everything reasonable to establish and maintain a system ensuring regulatory compliance.
