Site C worker released from hospital after dive in Peace River

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — According to WorkSafeBC and BC Hydro, a Site C worker fell into the Peace River while trying to board a boat last month.

The incident happened on February 19, as a report from WorkSafeBC indicates. The same report stated the worker was in the water for almost 10 minutes before being rescued via boat. They were transported to hospital, and released the same day.

BC Hydro Spokesperson Dave Conway wrote in an email Energeticcity.ca that WorkSafeBC and the RCMP made recommendations for additional safety mitigation measures following an investigation into the incident — which were implemented immediately following the incident.

“BC Hydro takes safety very seriously and has communicated with our employees, contractors, consultants and suppliers about the safety incident and the additional safety procedures,” he wrote.

The additional procedures call for workers to use personal flotation devices when within 10 metres of the riverbank, to ensure the boat operator is aware that the worker is traveling to access the boat, and to not access the boat if the boat operator is not at the dock.