Raining Debris: Province Issues Compliance Orders at Halifax Construction Site – Halifax
The Nova Scotia Department of Occupational Health and Safety has issued violations at a downtown Halifax construction site after debris flew from the top of a multi-story building during post-tropical storm Lee.
Halifax police were called to the area of South Street on Saturday after sheets of plywood were seen falling from the new building.
The street was closed for a time as crews worked to clear the area.
Three compliance orders were issued:
- The materials were not sufficiently secure;
- The guardrail was not present on several levels;
- There was no lighting on a staircase.
Debris could be seen coming from the building on Saturday.
Melanie White / Submitted
In a statement from the Department of Work, Sk**ls and Immigration, spokesperson Amanda Silliker told PKBNEWS that an occupational health and safety officer had inspected the site and issued “several” compliance orders .
“Employers and contractors are required to identify potential hazards on work sites and implement a*sociated control measures to mitigate those hazards,” she said in a statement to PKBNEWS.
“In preparation for a wind event, such as a tropical storm or hurricane, it is necessary to secure debris that may fall or fly into the air. »
Duncan Williams, president of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, said his team is communicating with members about how to prepare for the storm.
He said that before the storm, securing a job site safely would normally involve consolidating and securing loose items, locking down facilities and storing materials.
“A sheet of plywood or any other debris is dangerous,” Williams said in an interview Monday.
“This presents a danger to the public and a danger to workers. In all cases, we encourage contractors to do what is necessary to ensure the safety of their site.
PKBNEWS contacted the company responsible, JAMM, but it declined to comment.
The post-tropical storm brought significant winds and rain to Atlantic Canada. Rainfall amounts of 100 millimeters fell in parts of the Maritimes. Winds gusting to 117 km/h were also reported at the Halifax airport.
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