Construction on a development at the corner of Toronto Street and Highway 16 has been stopped again.
Worksafe BC has slapped Hemkund Developments with Stop Work and Stop Use orders on the job site where a project to construct a Burger King and gas station started in 2021, but has had several safety violations.
Most recently, an inspector went to the site after a gas line was struck on April 20.
According to the WorkSafe BC inspection report, excavation on the east side of the commercial building was being corrected when the excavator operator struck a gas distribution line with the excavator bucket. A representative of the employer immediately called 911 after the line was hit and Smithers Fire Rescue and Pacific Northern Gas responded to crimp the distribution line.
The inspector also noted the employer has had repeated utility strikes on this site including a water connection, a sewer connection, and two gas line connections on separate occasions.
The employer has received two stop work orders in this workplace for excavations that were not compliant with regulations and had high risks of serious injury and fatality in the workplace.
The inspector said inadequate information, instruction, training, and supervision of this workplace has contributed to the excavation violations, and the repeated underground utility strikes.
The stop work orders only apply to construction activities and worker entry into the excavation.
There may be engineers or site security personnel on-site while the stop work order is in place, which is permitted.
Repeated attempts to contact Hemkund Developments on this and the previous stop work order have gone unanswered.
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