Fatal Workplace Accident Results In Fine

The death of a worker last year has led to a Vernon automotive shop being fined by WorkSafe BC for what is called a high risk violation.

32 year old Christopher Potvin died December 9, 2016 while working at Another Level Automotive and Offroad Ltd.

WorkSafe says Potvin was removing a fuel tank from a pickup truck parked on a lift when the vehicle rolled backward and partially off the lift, pinning him between the vehicle frame and the lift platform.

“The worker sustained fatal injuries. WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that the truck had not been secured on the lift with wheel chocks or by setting the parking brake. In addition, the investigation determined that the worker had not been adequately trained or supervised for this task. The firm’s failure to provide its workers with the information, instruction, training, and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety was a high-risk violation,” says the WorkSafe report.

The company was issued a fine of $2,500.