Kelowna orchard fined $42K for broken seatbelts in work van
A Kelowna fruit grower has been fined $42,500 for not having enough seatbelts on a van used to transport workers.
According to a June 18 WorkSafe BC penalty notice, G.P. Sandher Holdings, known as Sandher Fruit Packers, were hit with the fine after inspectors found eight of the 14 seatbelts on a bus unusable.
"The female end of the seat belts had fallen through the bench seats and they were covered with dust and debris from non-use," a WorkSafe report says. "Two of the 14 seat belts were broken. The shoulder strap on (the)... passenger side seat was missing. The clip for the seat belt on bench seat two was broken."
Along with the busted seatbelts, WorkSafe found fertilizer and pesticide containers in the cab of the van containing water.
"(The) pesticide container is a single-use container and using it to transport water is contrary to the requirements stated on the label," the report states. "It was unclear if... the water being used for drinking or for the newly planted trees."
READ MORE: Vernon fertilizer company hit with $24,000 WorkSafeBC fine
WorkSafe BC also found a handsaw and shovels in the cab that weren't secured.
"Materials, goods, tools or equipment carried in a portion or compartment of a vehicle in which workers are riding must be located and secured to prevent injury to the operator or workers," the report says.
The report states that the supervisor and workers weren't adequately trained on the hazards of working with fertilizer and pesticides.
It was ultimately fined $42,553.
It's not the first time the orchard has been fined regarding its lack of seatbelts.
Last year it was hit with a $40,000 fine for not having a seatbelt on a tractor.
The company has also been in trouble before with the Ministry of Environment and fined more than $110,000 since 2022 for discharging effluent into a failed septic field.
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