Western Forest Products fined $29K for death of 3 workers

11 loaded railcars struck maintenance crew vehicle

Western Forest Products has been fined $29,050 by WorkSafeBC.

While workers from this firm were moving railcars loaded with logs on a railway siding, 11 loaded cars rolled out of the siding and onto the main line. The cars struck an occupied maintenance crew vehicle and pushed it into an occupied maintenance backhoe.

Three workers were killed and two workers were seriously injured.

WorkSafeBC's investigation determined that the derail device, which was intended to stop free-rolling railcars, had not been installed with proper ties and ballast. The firm is being penalized for failing to ensure the health and safety of all workers. This was a high-risk violation. 

Source: WorkSafeBC