Employer fined after Vernon man's workplace death | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Vernon News

Employer fined after Vernon man's workplace death

Christopher Potvin died in a workplace accident Dec. 9, 2016 in Vernon.
Image Credit: Facebook

VERNON - A North Okanagan automotive shop has been fined in relation to the workplace death of a Vernon man.

Christopher Potvin, 32, was working at Another Level Automotive & Offroad Ltd. on Dec. 9 when a truck slid off a joist, pinning him underneath. Potvin died at the scene.

WorkSafe B.C. investigated the death and has now issued a $2,500 penalty against Another Level Automotive. The penalty was imposed on Oct. 23.

According to WorkSafe B.C., the victim was removing a fuel tank from a pickup truck parked on an automotive lift when the vehicle “rolled backward and partially off the lift, pinning the worker between the frame of the vehicle and the lift platform.”

The investigation revealed the truck had not been secured on the lift with wheel chocks or by setting the parking brake, states WorkSafe B.C.

“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,” WorkSafe says.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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