WorkSafeBC penalties target Bird Construction, Viking Reinforcing, and A.R.M. Reinforcing for safety violations.
Photo by Keila Brock.
WorkSafeBC has issued a total of $184,042.26 in fines to companies involved in the construction of UVic’s Engineering building expansion, following an investigation into safety violations at the site. The penalties stem from failures to adequately support a rebar structure during assembly and to properly coordinate safety measures among multiple contractors.
The prime contractor, Bird Construction GP Limited, received the largest fine of $140,209.70 for failing to ensure that the 35-foot high rebar wall was safely supported during construction, and not coordinating activities of all employers on the multi-contractor site. A.R.M. Reinforcing Limited , the subcontractor responsible for installing the reinforcing steel, was fined $7,742.91, while subcontractor Viking Reinforcing Limited received a fine of $36,089.65.
The fines follow inspections conducted between June 9 and July 11, 2025, led by WorkSafeBC Occupational Safety Officer Cameron Palmer. While no serious injuries were reported to WorkSafeBC, a worker fell with the rebar tower during the collapse, showing the high-risk conditions present on the site.
The investigation focused on compliance with the Workers Compensation Act (WCA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
WorkSafeBC’s reports concluded that the rebar structure collapsed because temporary bracing — normally provided through engineered formwork — was delayed, and no alternative measures were implemented. The prime contractor, as the lead employer, held responsibility for ensuring safety protocols were in place across all subcontractors operating at the site.
All three companies were required to provide extensive documentation to WorkSafeBC, including photographs, videos, inspection reports, hazard assessments, and witness statements. The reports also state that employers are required to conduct their own investigations after any incident and determine corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Following an incident, employers are required by the WCA to conduct a preliminary investigation to identify unsafe conditions or acts that significantly contributed to the event, and then undertake a full investigation to determine causes and corrective measures.
WorkSafeBC requires the companies participate in interviews, and can request documentation, including emails, texts, photographs, hazard assessments, and more, to evaluate compliance with safety regulations. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in additional enforcement actions.
The inspections show the importance of temporary bracing and engineered formwork during the construction of tall rebar structures. WorkSafeBC’s review highlights that delaying or neglecting these measures created high-risk conditions, even in the absence of serious injuries.
Following the incident and investigation, Bird Construction will remain the prime contractor on the engineering expansion project at UVic until project completion. Though as the project owner, UVic is not required to oversee or enforce contractor safety protocols, UVic said in a statement that its project managers regularly meet with Bird Construction and the consultant team to track, assess, and document the project’s progress.
Employers involved in the UVic project now face continued scrutiny, and the investigations and reports are intended to inform the companies’ future safety planning. The companies have the option to request a review of the inspection findings and fines within 45 days of the report’s release, through WorkSafeBC’s Review Division, though WorkSafeBC has not received any requests for review at the time of publication.
