113 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

Yikes, eh. Thanks for that, Rob.

That’s literally the definition of a close call.

[Rob Randall]

Worksafe should be on this immediately.

 

But then I thought they'd investigate The Wade collapse but no.

[Mike K.]

Oh I didn’t know the outcome of the Wade collapse other than the interim assessment. Wasn’t it the City’s watermain that burst, flooding the immediate area and collapsing the wall?

[Rob Randall]

As far as the Wade was concerned, I thought the purpose of a Worksafe investigation would have been to confirm the cause as well as investigate whether there were any warning signs collapse was imminent. I similar collapse at The Falls site sparked an intensive investigation that uncovered some unsafe practices. But it seems with The Wade it was just, oh yeah, the watermain broke, no investigation needed.

 

So I am very interested in seeing if this near-fatality is properly investigated. 

 

It's not like it was unexpected. The excavator was working on the inside of the building, and the forces would naturally push the north facade outward toward the street. They didn't even have the street partitioned off. It's just crazy. 

[Mike K.]

Yeah, a little odd at this site for sure.

[Kapten Kapsell]

Here's CHEK's coverage of the pedestrian incident; the contractor is claiming that the pedestrian ignored orders:

https://www.cheknews...olition-670238/

[GetLisaSomeHelps]

I'll take things that didnt happen for 1000, alek.

[LJ]

Didn't look like the guy in the hit-me vest did anything to prevent the pedestrian, and if he did and the guy kept walking he should have stopped the guy on the machine until the pedestrian was clear.

[tiger11]

Not saying this wont happen, but ill be surprised if this project materializes in the near future in its current layout. Just have a feeling, 

[Jackerbie]

Here's CHEK's coverage of the pedestrian incident; the contractor is claiming that the pedestrian ignored orders:

https://www.cheknews...olition-670238/

 

Remove the pedestrian from the whole incident and you've still got building debris falling into the sidewalk and road, a dust cloud obscuring the vehicle travel lanes, and no flagger to control traffic.

 

Did the building ignore orders, too?

[aastra]

If there were tape markings on the ground then the dust cloud would have been obligated to abide by them.

[IPH]

Here's CHEK's coverage of the pedestrian incident; the contractor is claiming that the pedestrian ignored orders:

https://www.cheknews...olition-670238/

And that's why you don't hire an excavation contractor to do structural demolition!  As Rob says it will be interesting to see Work Safe BC's investigation on this one.  There should have been a written Demolition Plan stamped by a Structural Engineer for this.  Wonder if they had one or not and if they actually followed it? 

 

There also should have been a Traffic and Pedestrian Management Plan especially given the building looks like it was built right to the lot lines.  Both of the guys that should have been diverting pedestrians to the other side of the street appear to be totally mesmerized by the excavator and oblivious to the pedestrians their suppose to be protecting until its to late.

 

And work safe should also be after them for not having or following an Exposure Control Plan.   There is no monsoon fogger or fire hose in use to control dust and neither of the two workers are wearing any form of PPE like a respirator or even a paper dust mask.

[Rob Randall]

I believe this is the Worksafe incident report. No other information is available yet.

 

Injury: Close call
Industry: Construction
Core Activity: Building demolition / Excavator operation
Location: Vancouver Island/Coastal B.C.
Date of Incident: 2020-May

A two-storey mixed-use building in an urban setting was being demolished by an excavator when a portion of the upper level collapsed onto the adjacent sidewalk and traffic lane. No injuries were reported.

Posted: 2020-May-29 ID: 2020184390020

[Rob Randall]

Our favourite collapse made it to one of those Facebook fail compilation videos.