An engineering company in Nanaimo has paid a fine of over $5,100 in relation to work done on Alberni District Secondary School, according to WorkSafeBC.
In May, the provincial health and safety regulating authority levied the fine against Lewkowich Engineering Associates Ltd. for a hazardous materials survey. The company had been contracted to prepare the survey for the site, which was set to be demolished.
“The violations occurred when the hazardous material assessments were conducted by [someone] not qualified to collect samples, do sample testing and record information to industry standards, putting workers at risk,” Scott Money, WorkSafeBC spokesman, said in an e-mail.
Money said WorkSafe B.C. officers had several meetings with the employer to discuss correct hazardous material assessments.
The company received three written warnings for occupational hygiene methods since 2012.
Money said acceptable occupational hygiene methods are the methods that scientifically determine what concentration any hazardous chemical or physical agent affects humans. The methods are used around the world and produce consistent results.
If the methods are not used, the answers cannot be trusted, he said.
“Unreliable data being reported puts workers at risk for exposure to asbestos. When asbestos is found, each worker has the right to know where the asbestos is and how to protect themselves,” said Money.
Lewkowich Engineering Associates did not respond to a request for comment.