Fatal Slip, Trip, and Fall Incident in Landscaping

On September 5, 2023, a fatal slip, trip, and fall accident occurred during a commercial landscaping project in Vancouver, British Columbia, resulting in the death of a 42-year-old worker, Andrew Thompson. Thompson was walking across an uneven, wet surface while carrying equipment when he lost his footing and fell, sustaining severe head injuries.

Despite the rapid response of his coworkers and emergency medical services, Thompson succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The investigation revealed that the site lacked adequate lighting and proper safety measures to address the wet and uneven terrain, which contributed to the incident. Additionally, Thompson was not wearing slip-resistant footwear.

Following this incident, the landscaping company has implemented stricter safety protocols, including mandatory use of slip-resistant footwear, improved site lighting, and regular inspections to identify and mitigate slip, trip, and fall hazards. Comprehensive training programs on hazard recognition and prevention have also been instituted for all employees.