Blasting bylaw up for debate after carbon monoxide concerns

A Halifax regional councillor is bringing forward a motion to council on Tuesday that would require staff to report back on an incident involving carbon monoxide exposure.

On April 14 around 9 p.m., Halifax Fire and RCMP responded to carbon monoxide alarm on Marketway Lane in Timberlea. Four homes were evacuated overnight due to high carbon monoxide levels. Officials determined that source of the carbon monoxide was nearby blasting as there was no other sources in the affected homes.

The next day the Nova Scotia Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration initiated a work stoppage order and placed conditions before the construction company could return to work. The conditions were met and the work continued but the Department of Labour found further violations and issued another stop work order.

On May 29, Halifax Regional Municipality revoked the construction company’s blasting permit.

“Since this issue began there has been a lack of clarity about who is responsible to ensure residents are informed about the situation and have a contact number for further information,” the justification for Janet Steele’s motion reads. “Nova Scotia Department of Labour has the jurisdiction over the worksite and occupational health and safety, but they did not have the role of keeping the public informed when safety incidents extend beyond the worksite.”

It also states that a group of residents have expressed that they expect both the municipal and the provincial government to provide more updates on the safety surrounding blasting sites.

The motion asks that staff summarize the events that occurred on April 14 and assess the adequacy of the current HRM Blasting By-law in identifying risk, and recommend a communication protocol on matters related to blasting and safety.

The motion will go to a vote June 10.