Hotel operator Northland Properties Corporation has been fined $624,051.48 by WorkSafeBC following multiple health and safety violations involving asbestos and lead during renovation work at one of its hotels in Williams Lake, British Columbia.
According to WorkSafeBC, inspectors visited the renovation site and found debris from drywall containing asbestos, as well as mould on a wall and paint debris that tested positive for lead.
The investigation revealed that workers carrying out the renovation had not received the required training or certification for asbestos abatement. Inspectors also found that most workers were not wearing appropriate respiratory protection while performing the work.
WorkSafeBC further reported that the site lacked essential safety measures, including negative-pressure containment systems and decontamination facilities. The company had also failed to prepare risk assessments and exposure control plans for tasks involving asbestos and lead.
As a result, the agency determined that Northland Properties failed to ensure hazardous materials were safely contained or removed before renovation work began, classifying the offence as a high-risk violation.
The company was also cited for failing to notify WorkSafeBC at least 48 hours before beginning certain work involving asbestos-containing materials, a violation that regulators said had been repeated.
In addition, WorkSafeBC found that Northland Properties failed to protect the health and safety of both its own employees and other workers on the site. That offence was also classified as both repeated and high risk.
The combined violations resulted in administrative penalties totaling $624,051.48.
