WorkSafeBC issues nearly $170,000 fine to construction company, after tower crane hits high-voltage power lines in Coquitlam

A construction company working on a Coquitlam development site was slapped with a $167,890 fine from WorkSafeBC, after its tower crane hit adjacent high-voltage lines and caused a power outage to the surrounding area.

WorkSafeBC conducted a workplace inspection following the incident on April 15, 2024, issuing a stop work order for the site.

Inspectors issued a fine to Femo Construction Ltd. on July 16, after determining the crane’s zone limiting device was not functioning, its remote control had been left unattended and there were no training records available for the crane’s operators.

“The firm failed to ensure that, before a worker starts work close to high-voltage electrical equipment, the worker was informed of the existence of the electrical equipment and the work procedures to be followed,” WorkSafeBC said. “This was a repeated and high-risk violation.”

The incident occurred during the concrete forming and excavation stage of the development project by Formwerks Boutique Properties, which is building 91 townhouse units on the 700 block of Robinson St.

Employees were gathering debris in a bin and had left the crane’s controller unattended when a gust of wind pushed the it’s jib, causing it to drift into the high voltage power lines running parallel to the work site, according to the inspection report.

The opticrane limiter – which is an anti-collision safety system meant to provide operators with early warnings – failed to engage, and its alloy chains hit high-voltage lines, cutting off power to nearby properties.

No injuries were reported on scene, and the company immediately stopped work with the crane on site.

While Femo Construction was able to provide inspectors with lockdown procedures for the remote control, no crane collision response plan was submitted. Inspectors also couldn’t find documentation on the installation of the tower crane’s anti-collision system and its remote control during their review.

“The employer has a responsibility to provide workers with and instruct them in safe electrical work practices if the intended work may lead to an encroachment on the general limits of approach to energized high voltage equipment and conductors,” the inspectors wrote. “WorkSafeBC has determined that there are grounds for imposing an administrative penalty.”