Ontario
Ontario had a fatal injury in September involving trimming a tree and five critical injuries this quarter. In July, a worker was struck by a tree branch, another worker was felling a tree when the butt end rolled onto the worker’s foot causing injury. Also in July a worker was struck by a tree top. In August, a worker was stuck by a fallen tree as the result of a windstorm event. And in September a worker was cutting a tree stump when the stump struck the worker causing injury.
Non-critical injuries in July included a worker who fell off a ladder while cutting a tree branch. Another worker operating a ride-on lawnmower was struck by a branch. A close call in July occurred when a worker tripped over a downed tree while using a chain saw. In August, a worker was struck by a trimmer while trimming a tree and another worker fell off a ladder while trimming/cutting down a tree.
Reported equipment incidents that were reported included: in Aug. while clearing branches, the boom on the excavator snapped in the middle, and fell to the ground. No person was injured. A gas wood chipper caught fire in a truck on the way to a job site. No person was injured.
There were six incidents where power lines were contacted in 2019. However, thanks to appropriate safely equipment, the tree trimming events in February, March, May and July resulted in no human injuries. In August a boom truck was unloading wood when it came into contact with a power line. The pole broke and the truck was caught in the lines. No person was injured. In September a worker in an aerial bucket truck was trimming tree branches when a branch touched a power line. No person was injured.
Prince Edward Island
PEI workers compensation office is now offering a variety of free education workshops. They are facilitated by OHS (Occupational Safety and Health) education consultants and provide information on OHS requirements and assistance with health and safety program development. “We will be rolling out a new calendar on our website in 2020 that will advertise public offerings of our workshops.
Employers/workers are welcome to register and attend these sessions. We also offer free safety consulting services to assist employers in meeting compliance under the PEI's OHS Act and Regulations.
Consulting is tailored to the individual workplace and we can also offer private workshops to any size business.”
Contact PEI’s workers compensation for more information at 1-800-237-5049 or by email at ohs@wcb.pe.ca
British Columbia
On the lower mainland of BC in August there was a close call when an excavator was digging a trench for landscaping work when its bucket contacted a two-inch natural gas line. The utility owner was notified immediately and the line was repaired. No workers were injured.
In December on the lower mainland of BC, two workers were in an elevated boom lift platform, stringing a tree with Christmas lights. One string of lights contacted an energized 12 kV power line. There was arcing, and sparks from the line that started small fires at the base of the tree. One worker in the elevated platform felt the electrical current.
In November in northern BC, a worker was conducting manual tree falling activities. While walking the escape route, the worker fell and was injured. The worker was transported by air to hospital with multiple fractures.
In October in the interior of BC a certified faller attempted to fall two limb-tied trees. One of the trees did not fall in the intended direction and struck and fractured one of the faller's legs.
In October in the interior of BC, as a worker was bucking logs with a chainsaw, the worker's leg was pinned between two logs. The worker was given first aid on site for a fractured leg and transported to local hospital.
In October in coastal BC, a faller was falling and bucking in a cedar salvage forestry operation. The faller was falling a sapling to overcome a falling difficulty, when he was struck by another tree. The faller, who suffered a concussion, was transported to hospital by helicopter..
In the lower mainland in October a worker on the ground was trying to grab some branches while an arborist was performing a snap cut on a section of an oak tree. The section of the oak tree fell to the ground and bounced up, striking the worker on the ground. The worker had temporary unconsciousness, lacerations and bruising.
In September in the lower mainland, a worker was operating an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on a forestry access road. The ATV struck a cross-ditch, which resulted in the worker applying the throttle and losing control of the ATV. The worker was thrown from the ATV. The worker received a concussion and fractured ribs.
In August in the lower mainland, a worker was using a chainsaw to clear tree limbs and brush when the chainsaw kicked back and struck the worker. The worker received upper body injuries.
In August in the interior of BC, a worker was trimming trees from a truck-mounted elevated work platform. The truck rolled down the driveway and crossed a public roadway; the worker was ejected from the elevated platform and received back injuries.
In May on Vancouver Island, a worker came into contact with an unknown chemical liquid while clearing vegetation from a vacant lot for a utility right-of-way. The unknown chemical was in an unlabelled container, discarded in overgrown vegetation. The chemical spilled onto one of the worker's boots, penetrating the leather and burning the worker's foot.New Brunswick
New Brunswick reported zero injuries in the tree service and vegetation industries this quarter.
However, New Brunswick has joined the growing list of jurisdictions instructing on the usage of glyphosate. They said herbicides need to be applied at the recommended rates. “Faulty spray equipment can result in uneven pressure along the boom, causing under-dosing at the ends and overdosing along the middle of the boom. Overdosing can also occur as a result of boom overlap, defective nozzles and fluctuating tractor speeds. Insufficient mixing of water and herbicide can result in overdosing, then under-dosing as the tank empties.”
“Fields may contain variable soil textures. Incorrect assessment of varying soil textures in a field can result in overdosing on sandy and gravely areas. Improper sprayer calibration is also one of the major factors contributing to herbicide over-application. Contamination can result from improperly cleaned spraying equipment. Damage becomes evident in areas which were sprayed first, and becomes less noticeable as spraying proceeds. Herbicide residues on previously sprayed stubble and other trash can damage emerging crop seedlings upon contact. If animals are given feed that contains certain herbicide residues, their manure can contain these residues.”
“The application of many herbicides is recommended within precisely-defined stages of the crop's growth. Failing to make the application at the proper stage may result in plant damage. Correct application timings are outlined on the label. Pre-harvest intervals, as listed on the label, give the required time after application to harvest the crop.”
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia reported zero injuries in the tree service or vegetation management industries this quarter. They have joined CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety) and are offering three free courses/year on hazard investigation, ladder safety, and many other topics of interest to the industry.
Alberta
Alberta announced that January 2019 was notable for the high incidents of ice, sleet and snow related injuries. Concussions were up nine per cent, bruises and contusions 14 per cent, sprains, strains and tears were 42 per cent, lacerations six per cent and fractures 11 per cent. Along with the obvious suggestions, Alberta said to consider allowing employees to go home early if a storm is imminent, position lighting so it doesn’t increase shadows, remember working at heights has increased dangers in winters. Snow hides hazards and workers need time to adjust to the conditions. Ensure all workers are educated in the signs of over-exposure and dress appropriate to the weather. And all vehicles should be winter ready.
Manitoba
Manitoba did 329 inspections of fall protection equipment between March to October, laying six charges and 13 administrative penalties. The charges were all in the construction industry for lack of equipment and inappropriate fall arrest systems.
USA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported, "Falls continue to be a leading cause of injuries and fatalities in construction. Employers have an obligation to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards, and ensure all safety and personal protective equipment are correctly used. "OSHA has produced an online safety bulletin that applies in part to all workers working at heights outdoors. Protecting Roofing Workers, explaining fall protection requirements, how to set up personal fall arrest and fall restraint systems and properly secure ladders.
OSHA is also continuing its program of investigating and inspecting outdoor workers especially those working at heights. Of the 98 inspections done in the tree service and landscaping industries this quarter only three were in response to accidents. No fines were reported for lack of safety equipment in the industry but in roofing, fines ranged from $291,724 to $64,974.
— Pat Kerr