Vancouver — The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) has hit Teck-Cominco (TEK-T) with a $270,000 fine for an accident last year at its Trail lead smelter in British Columbia.
The safety regulator concluded that the major and several subcontractors involved in a repair project at the complex provided inadequate hazards assessment that resulted in workers being exposed to toxic levels of thallium.
The workers were exposed to the toxic material in August after failing to wear enough protective clothing. The problem was discovered when workers began suffering flu-like symptoms. Thallium is a byproduct of the smelting process that has been linked to nerve damage.
Teck-Cominco accepted responsibility for problems in its health and safety systems, stating that it would be corrected based on the WCB’s investigation.
Some of the money collected from the fine is slated to be used for long-term monitoring of the exposed workers. Claims for damages were filed by 154 workers, but only 78 were accepted.
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