Failing to Properly Brace Formwork Costs Contractor $60,000

A heavy construction contractor was working on upgrades to a pollution control plant. Workers were preparing formwork to be hoisted away from a concrete wall. One of them climbed to the top of a formwork panel and tied off to it using a harness. While he was on the formwork, it became detached from the wall. He fell backwards and the formwork fell onto him. The contractor was fined $60,000 for failing to ensure that the formwork was adequately braced to prevent any movement that could affect its stability [Facca Inc., Govt. News Release, Jan. 23, 2013].