Tire rim assembly blew apart, component struck and killed worker
Tsetsaut Ventures has been fined $159,812 for a worker fatality.
This firm was providing operational support at a mine at Brucejack Lake, B.C. A new worker in a machine shop was inflating a tire on a rim assembly when the rim assembly blew apart. The components struck and fatally injured the worker. WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that, at the time of the incident, the firm did not have an adequate health and safety program. The firm also did not have safe operating procedures for rim assembly and disassembly or for tire inflation. In addition, there was no evidence that the worker had received a site orientation or new worker training. This firm failed to ensure that its workers were made aware of all known health or safety hazards, and it failed to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety.
In addition, the firm failed to ensure that new workers were given health and safety orientation and training prior to beginning work, and failed to establish OHS policies and programs. Furthermore, the firm failed to maintain a joint health and safety committee.
