WorkSafeBC opens 3rd investigation into accidents at Oakridge construction site

Search warrants obtained by CBC reveal the existence of a WorkSafeBC investigation into a third accident at the Oakridge construction site — as well as efforts by prime contractor EllisDon to counter allegations the massive project is plagued by a failure to protect worker safety.

WorkSafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety unit is now investigating an incident in which metal pipes fell 50 metres to the ground from a crane last October — in addition to two other accidents which occurred at Oakridge in 2024, one ending in the death of a worker.

Investigators obtained a search warrant in December for records of the crane company — which was allegedly told it was not facing any legal jeopardy because the business "and their employees were more vital to have as witnesses into the prosecution of EllisDon."

Meanwhile, according to court documents, WorkSafeBC sought safety records from EllisDon's Richmond offices in early February after a lawyer for the Ontario construction giant told investigators the company was eager to "formally document their willingness to cooperate."

"I believe that, as advertised by EllisDon, they have a complete and robust health and safety program which is implemented at each job site," WorkSafeBC Special Const. Jordan McLellan wrote in his application to obtain the company's training procedures.

"The documentation required by WSBC investigators is available according to their legal counsel."

The $6.5-billion redevelopment of the 11-hectare Oakridge site occupies roughly eight city blocks and includes 14 towers that are being built to provide 3,000 homes for nearly 6,000 residents.

Developers Westbank and Quadreal describe the project — which includes 300 stores and a giant park — as both one of the single biggest developments in Vancouver's history and "one of the most monumental redevelopments currently underway in North America."

Concerns about safety at the site were first raised last February when a tower crane dropped its load, killing Yuridia Flores, a mother of two from Mexico, who was working on the ground below.

A little over four months later, on July 30, a piece of scaffolding fell 41 storeys to an open zone near a busy public roadway. No one was hurt, but investigators claim "the potential for serious injuries or a fatality [was] significant." 

CBC revealed the existence of investigations into both those incidents last fall after obtaining another search warrant written by McLellan relating to the scaffolding mishap.

The latest court documents — filed in Vancouver provincial court — describe the third accident, in which a tower crane "was transferring a load of metal pipe from the ground to an elevated work area" on Oct. 2 when a number of pipes slipped their rigging.

"The load tipped sideways and released multiple pieces of pipe which fell to the ground outside of a controlled zone below and into a perimeter fence that was adjacent to vehicle traffic on West 41st Avenue from approximately 150 feet in the air," the search warrant says.

"There were no injuries."