Two separate construction accidents involving Ledcor employees – one fatal – shook the construction industry Thursday, but the overall injury rate in B.C. has been on the decline in recent years.
One worker fell at least 30 feet and sustained life-threatening injuries while working on the sails at Canada Place. The other died after being struck by falling building material at Three Harbour Green.
WorkSafeBC statistics show B.C.’s overall injury rate declined from 3.1 cases per 100 person years in 2005 to only 2.4 such cases in 2009. The 2009 rate was a record low.
Despite the decline, males aged between 15 and 24 have a much higher injury rate of 3.4, compared to 1.3 for females of the same age.
“There’s been a steady decline for about 10 years,” said Donna Freeman, WorkSafe’s media relations director. “It’s obviously due to a number of things the employers and workers, awareness of workplace safety and economic cycles.”