In a recent workplace safety review, a New Brunswick jury cast light on serious safety oversights following an incident involving an inadequately maintained excavator operated by Perfection Contracting. The investigation highlighted key failures, notably the absence of two mirrors crucial for visibility, which led to two workplace safety charges against the company. Perfection Contracting admitted guilt last year, resulting in a penalty of $30,000 for not maintaining the excavator properly.
Further exploration by WorkSafeNB revealed that no pre-work inspection had taken place on the day of the accident. Despite the excavator having a functioning backup camera and an audible alarm, the routine nature of these alerts has potential to render them ineffective over time, as workers become accustomed to the noise.
The tragedy prompted a set of robust recommendations aimed at forestalling similar incidents in the future. Specific measures directed at Perfection Contracting include initiating a dual-person equipment checklist which must be signed at both the commencement and conclusion of each workday, enhancing on-site communication capabilities through proximity sensors, and conducting mandatory risk and safety awareness training for all personnel.
Moreover, the jury advocated for industry-wide adoption of several protective measures, such as the widespread implementation of the two-checklist system, required certification and ongoing recertification for heavy equipment operators throughout New Brunswick, and the establishment of stringent fatigue-related impairment policies akin to those in the trucking sector.
Other suggested reforms include introducing harsher penalties for safety breaches and performing random, unannounced site inspections, echoing the jury’s intent to cultivate a safer working environment across numerous industries.
The family of the worker involved expressed their agreement with the jury’s recommendations, especially those concerning the provision of immediate equipment repairs and the implementation of stiffer penalties for safety infractions. Donna Harris, a family member, voiced hope for the recovery of the excavator operator involved, acknowledging the emotional and psychological toll the incident has inflicted on him as well.
This tragedy and the subsequent investigation serve as a critical reminder of the importance of rigorous safety protocols and the ongoing need for vigilance to protect workers in industrial settings. These recommendations, if implemented, could significantly reduce the risk of similar incidents, providing safer workplaces for the future.
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