Developer launches internal safety review after incident
A construction worker was rescued after falling into a ventilation shaft at the site of new arenas being built in Langley, B.C., on Monday.
The Township of Langley Fire Department responded to the construction site at 8:12 a.m., where a worker had fallen into a confined space at the Langley Events Centre, CTV News reported. Firefighters extracted the man and transported him to hospital. The rescue took less than an hour.
Mayor Eric Woodward said the worker sustained a fractured leg but was “conscious and communicative” throughout the operation.
“This once again highlights the great work of our first responders, and the value of the technical training and equipment needed to address so many unique situations such as this one at a moment’s notice,” Woodward wrote in a social media statement. “Thanks to all that completed a successful rescue that could have been much worse.”
A township spokesperson extended well wishes to the injured worker and his family. “Our thoughts are with the person who was injured today, and their family,” the spokesperson wrote.
Lark Group, the construction company overseeing the project, said it is conducting a “full internal review” of the incident.
“Maintaining the highest standards of safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to reinforce and strengthen our safety practices across all projects,” the developer wrote in a statement.
According to Global News, police said there was no indication of criminal wrongdoing, though investigators are working with WorkSafeBC to determine the factors leading up to the incident.
