By law, an employer is required to notify the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Branch of a serious incident by the fastest means of communication available. Serious Incident Alerts include descriptions of the actual serious incidents reported to WSH Branch and are provided to raise awareness and initiate preventative actions as appropriate.
The following THIRTEEN incidents occurred on Manitoba construction projects in November 2023:
A worker was cutting pallets when the skill saw kicked back and made contact with their leg. As per the Manitoba Regulation Part 2.1.1 employers must develop safe work procedures for tasks and operations, train the workers in those procedures, and ensure the procedures are complied with. Employers should ensure that all developed procedures are readily available on each site. For more information, check out the CSAM Virtual toolbox talk on safe ladder usage.
A worker was accessing a platform on a roof when they fell approximately 30 feet. Under the Manitoba Regulation Part 14, a fall protection or fall arrest system must be incorporated when working at heights is 3m or higher. Any worker doing work at height must receive appropriate training in fall protection measures. You can reference CSAM’s virtual toolbox here.
A worker was cutting a deck joist approximately 8 feet off the ground. The worker moved and became closer to the edge of the platform. The platform flipped over, and the worker fell. As per Part 30.7 of the Manitoba Regulation, all temporary structures must be securely fastened to prevent movement. CSAM has developed a toolbox talk on Job Hazard Analysis that will assist in properly identifying the hazards of worker tasks.
A fire occurred at a building. Emergency services extinguished the fire. Following Part 19 of the Manitoba Regulation, fire protection equipment must be readily available. The Manitoba Fire Code outlines a requirement of not exceeding 75’ between fire suppression equipment.
While conducting a lift, the boom collapsed and the load was dropped. Part 23.10 of the Manitoba Regulation, requires all crane operators to know the weight load information. If the load weight is undefined, it might not be able to be moved safely. CSAM has a toolbox on proper rigging processes which can be found here.
While a crane was lifting a component, it contacted with the existing components and a worker's hand was pinched in between. Taglines should be utilized to assist in controlling a suspended load. The Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association has a toolbox talk that can be found here.
A worker was assisting with priming a pump line when a pressure line containing 50% sodium hydroxide sprayed into the worker's eyes. Following Part 6.13 of the Manitoba Regulation, workers should wear eye and face protection when there is a risk of injury to this part of the body; which would include splashing liquids.
A worker was attempting to remove some frozen built-up gravel from an elevated dump truck box when the worker's hand was pinched between the box and the tailgate. Employers should develop safe work procedures as outlined in the Manitoba Regulation Part 2.1.1, and workers should be trained in these procedures to assist in the prevention of injuries and incidents. A proper hazard assessment would identify the risk the workers are exposed to during the tasks.
A contractor was installing a natural gas line inside of a scissor lift. A company worker operating an overhead crane struck the scissor lift causing it to tip over and hit some nearby racking. The contractor was ejected from the scissor lift and landed on the racking. All crane operators should ensure that an adequate clear path of travel for the hoisted load is available. Workers in elevated work platforms should ensure that any worker affected by their positioning is made aware of the location of the parked elevated work platform. CSAM has developed a virtual toolbox talk on elevated work platforms which can be found here.
A worker fell approximately 18 feet while assisting a crane operator in installing trusses. As per Part 14.13 of the Manitoba Regulation, workers must use a fall arrest system when other means of fall protection are not available while working at heights of 3m or more. All workers should be properly trained in the fit, care, and use of fall arrest PPE. CSAM has a virtual toolbox talk on fall protection which can be found here.
A worker fell 9 feet on a construction site. Following the Manitoba Regulation Part 14.1, workers must have fall protection devices when working at heights of 3m or more, OR when the vertical distance is less than 3m where an increased risk of injury is present due to the surface they may land on. CSAM has a toolbox talk on Fall Protection which can be found here.
CSAM Toolbox Talk - Fall Protection - Approvals & Inspections
A worker was installing a sign face. While drilling through a wall, the drill bit hit a beam and the drill kicked back. Proper training in hazard identification and safe work procedures will assist in decreasing incidents. As per Part 6.13 of the Manitoba Regulation, eye and face protection should be worn where there is a risk of injury that is found on the completed hazard assessment. CSAM has a toolbox talk on the basic safety of power tools which can be found here.
A worker was using an air nailer to assemble trusses when a nail bounced and struck the worker in the eye. Part 6.13 of the Manitoba Regulation requires face and eye protection to be worn where there is a risk of flying objects or particles. Workers should also be trained in the manufacturer guidelines for the safe use of all power tools, which may require specialized PPE. CSAM has a toolbox talk on eye protection which can be found here.
If you have concerns about the potential for a similar incident occurring on YOUR jobsite, speak to a CSAM safety advisor. Call 204-775-3171 in Winnipeg or 204-728-3456 in Brandon.
To view previous serious incident reports, click here.
