A Salmon Arm roofing company has been fined by WorkSafe BC for violating safety rules designed to protect workers from falls.
Integrity Roofing was fined a total of $5,982 for an incident when an inspection found that two of the firm’s workers, including a supervisor, were roofing a newly built hay shed without using personal fall protection gear, nor was any other type of fall protection in place.
Integrity Roofing is appealing the decision.
A WorkSafe BC report released to the public stated this violation exposed the workers to a risk of falling 4.5 metres or 15 feet. It also indicated tripping hazards on the roof including air lines and piles of roofing material.
“The firm failed to provide its workers with information, instruction, training and supervision needed to ensure their health and safety, a repeated violation,” states the report.
In a statement to the Observer, Integrity Roofing says the incident took place in August of 2013.
“We were informed of the allegation in August of 2015 from WorkSafeBC. We were formerly in the process of reviewing our current health and safety program and making improvements. We employed a qualified, full time, safety coordinator in March of 2015,” says the statement.
“Responsibilities of this position are, but are not limited to, monitoring all of our active worksites daily, to ensure all safety precautions are being practiced. Integrity Roofing management is dedicated to a safe and healthy work environment for their employees and the public.”
Integrity Roofing says they are the only roofing company north of Kelowna with a full-time safety officer
“The Safety Coordinator, Lisa Jacques, has implemented a very thorough safety program and has trained and educated our current staff, developed an employee health and safety orientation, has established safety and awareness programs and procedures for other facets of our business including: fall protection, forklift operation, aerial – lift operation, etc.”
Anyone with questions about the company’s health and safety program can contact 250-804-6964.