WorkSafeBC has fined Delta Pacific Seafoods Ltd CAD93,387 for several forklift violations following an investigation of a serious worker injury.

The independent British Columbia agency publicised its 2008 penalties involving 152 employers and totaling CAD2.7 million for violations of the provincial occupational health and safety regulation and the workers compensation act.

The agency cited the Delta workplace of seafood and fish processor and distributor Delta Pacific for repeated failure to ensure a worker wears a seatbelt when operating a forklift ensure adequate lights exist on a forklift to ensure the presence of adequate illumination in work areas and ensure that workers exposed to forklift traffic wear high-visibility apparel.

WorkSafeBC fined Delta-based Horizon Communications Ltd CAD51,178 for repeat violations in failing to ensure workers are provided with and using a fall protection system while working on a boom-mounted work platform.

Also, the agency fined Human Resources Capital Group Inc of Delta CAD26,846 for repeat failures to take reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers and provide information, training and supervision to ensure workers' safety and failure to ensure workers exposed to forklift traffic wear high-visibility apparel. WorkSafeBC found those violations in the investigation of a serious injury.

"Many of the 2008 penalties are associated with a fatality or serious injury," says Roberta Ellis, vice president of Richmond-based WorkSafeBC's policy, investigations and review divisions, in a 5 February statement. "Our focus must be on preventing these tragedies."