File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Workplace Accident

Downtown Kamloops accident caused by worker trying to remove vest from power line: Worksafe B.C.

Jan 13, 2023 | 2:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — Worksafe B.C. says a 2021 accident in downtown Kamloops that saw a man seriously injured by an electrical shock was caused when the victim tried to dislodge a high-visibility vest from a power line.

A Worksafe incident investigation report was obtained Friday (Jan. 13) by CFJC Today. It describes an accident that occurred March 8, 2021, at a multi-family construction site in the 400-block of St. Paul Street.

Primary investigator Ken Blair found the victim, an employee of IM Stucco & Stone, was working on scaffolding adjacent to the building’s fifth floor when he tried to toss a high-visibility vest to a co-worker at ground level.

Wind blew the vest onto an energized overhead power line nearby.

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In an attempt to remove the vest from the line, the worker found a three-metre section of aluminum channel and extended it toward the vest.

When the channel contacted the power line, it triggered an electrical arc flash and the worker received a massive shock. He survived but sustained serious injuries.

In his report, Blair noted the victim’s actions caused the accident, but also pointed to inadequate training, supervision, site planning and inspections on the part of the project’s general contractor, Tri City Canada.

Worksafe levied a fine of $34,169.06 against Tri City.