Nanaimo construction company fined nearly $22K after fatal workplace incident

WorkSafeBC has handed a Nanaimo construction company a fine of $21,881 following a workplace incident which cost one worker his life. 

Muchalat Projects Ltd. was installing heating, ventilation and air conditioning at a mixed-use construction site in Nanaimo in the 3700 block of Shenton Road. 

According to WorkSafeBC, an investigation was launched after the fatal incident in which a pair of large door frames—measuring 3.6 metres wide and 2 metres high—that were propped up against the building fell on him. 

The worker was reportedly young and it was his first day on the job when the fatal incident occurred. 

WorkSafeBC’s investigation determined that the firm had not provided that site-specific safety orientation was not provided to the worker prior to commencing work. 

Furthermore, the investigation found that the worker had not been adequately supervised and no documented hazard identification or risk assessment had been conducted on the day of the incident. 

“The firm failed [to] provide its workers with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary to ensure their health and safety, a high-risk violation,” said WorkSafeBC in the incident’s penalty summary. 

In addition to Muchalat Projects fines, R.W. Wall Ltd., the project managing company was fined $9,253 and Ferguson Exteriors who were hired for windows and doors were issued a $2,500 fine.

The fines totalled around $33,600. 

This incident occurred in September 2024, with the fine being handed down to Muchalat Projects Ltd. in November 2025.