Technical Safety BC Top 5 Safety Risks in 2025

July 31, 2026

Each year, Technical Safety BC measures the data they receive through incident and hazard reports to analyze and rank the top safety risks encountered across the province. These risks were identified by collecting, assessing, and analyzing incident investigation data. The key metrics they look at when ranking the top five safety risks include the likelihood of an incident taking place as well as the severity of its consequences, such as injury or damage.

Risk analysis is instrumental in identifying areas where risk treatment is needed, and TSBC use it to develop strategies to influence better outcomes, whether it’s through regulation, communications, education, enforcement, partnering with organizations, or all of the above.

Top 5 Safety Risks

1. Carbon Monoxide Exposure: A Hidden Safety Risk

Damaging an underground gas line can lead to gas service outages in your community, as well as fires, explosions, property damage, or serious injury. Despite these risks, many British Columbians are unaware of the dangers of breaking ground without first doing proper research.

For more information about the incident covered in this video, read the incident report.

2. Gas Line Strikes: Why Awareness Saves Lives

Damaging an underground gas line can lead to gas service outages in your community, as well as fires, explosions, property damage, or serious injury. Despite these risks, many British Columbians are unaware of the dangers of breaking ground without first doing proper research.

For more information about the incident covered in this video, read the incident report.

3. Electrical Shock: An Underreported Hazard

Electrical workers across British Columbia regularly follow safety procedures to keep job sites safe and reduce the risk of electrical shock. However, when these precautions are skipped, overlooked, or neglected, the likelihood of electrical shock increases significantly. Electrical shock can result in serious injury or even death.

For more information about the incident covered in this video, read the incident report.

Incident overview

At an industrial facility, a flexible electrical cable feeding an overhead 5-ton crane, sustained damage to the outer jacket, exposing an energized copper conductor. A worker was operating the crane using the control pendant, and while looking over the lifting bay received an electrical shock. The worker was treated for injuries but passed away weeks later. The crane was overdue for its annual inspection and the employee operating the crane had not completed the pre-operational checklist. 

4. Electrical Fire: New Technologies, New Hazards

Electrical fires are one of the most common types of fires in Canada. They can be caused by uncertified or faulty electrical equipment including wiring, components, or lithium-ion batteries which can overheat, malfunction, or become damaged over time. As new technologies like electric vehicle chargers become ubiquitous across the province, new electrical hazards present themselves.

For more information about the incident covered in this video, read the incident report.

Incident overview

An electrical fire occurred at a retail charging station in New Westminster, when an EV charger that was not in use burst into flames. The fire released toxic emissions and caused extensive damage to nearby equipment and property. A neighboring fast-food restaurant also had to be evacuated.  

TSBC’s investigation revealed that the fire was caused during a remote diagnostics check. A technician working remotely from California had placed the charger in diagnostic mode, which overrides safety controls, and accidentally turned on the battery heater.  

As a result, the battery reached a critical temperature and entered thermal runaway, leading to the fire. The charger had been in good condition prior to the incident with no history of issues.

5. Ammonia: Small Leaks, Big Consequences

Ammonia is used to cool ice rinks, cold storage facilities, and warehouses. But when it’s not managed safely, contact with the chemical can be deadly. Learn about a major incident we investigated and how we are responding to this safety risk.

For more information about the incident covered in this video, read the incident report.

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