An inspection of the ill-fated walkway at Pajo’s Fish & Chips in Steveston Harbour is raising questions over whether or not it was fit for its purpose.
The WorkSafeBC report, obtained this week by the Richmond News, indicates that the gangway — which collapsed almost a month ago with four customers on it — “suffered a major structural failure” after it “buckled under weight…”
However, the report adds that the walkway was not “at the time of collapse, capable of performing the function for which it was used, i.e., serving as a bridge between shore-side and the floating restaurant.”
The walkway has since been replaced and Pajo’s – one of the most popular fish and chips spots in the Lower Mainland – is, itself, questioning the inspection report.
In a response for comment from the News, a spokesperson for the family-run business said regular inspections of the previous walkway were carried out, with no signs of any issues.
“We are working with WorkSafeBC to get clarification on the wording used in the report,” the statement read.
“We conducted regular inspections of the ramp and there was no indication it was not capable of performing the function it was used for.
“We are fully cooperating with WorkSafeBC and the safety of our staff and our patrons is and always has been our number-one priority.”
According to the WorkSafeBC report, after the collapse, the gangway in question was cut into several pieces and removed from service.
The same report states that the use of the previous walkway was in contravention to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 4.3 (1)(a).
Pajo’s was also rebuked for not immediately reporting the incident to WorkSafeBC, although no penalty is expected to be handed down.
The new gangway has since been certified by an engineer and WorkSafeBC is awaiting a copy of the engineer’s certification.
The News was not able to get information on the differences between the old gangway and the new one.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. on July 9, resulting in one person being taken to hospital with minor injuries, with the others unhurt after the walkway fell about 15 feet into the harbour.
About 20 to 30 customers and staff on the dock were stranded and had to wait for around 45 minutes before emergency services provided a makeshift dock for them to get safely back to land.
Witnesses on the walkway reported hearing a cracking sound before it gave way and “free-fell” into the harbour.
Pajo’s has been operating in the harbour, at the corner of Bayview and Third Avenue, since 1985.
