Business Challenge

Following the severe 2021 British Columbia flood events, the provincial government initiated extensive debris-removal operations along the Coldwater and Nicola rivers. Large volumes of flood-carried debris—including trees, vehicles, structural materials, and hazardous substances—posed significant safety risks to workers and surrounding communities. Additionally, multiple damaged bridges required demolition and removal. The project involved extensive coordination with First Nations partners and multiple contractors. The EPC client required rapid deployment of qualified HSE professionals capable of supporting high-risk activities such as helicopter transport, in-water work, heavy equipment operation, and hazardous material handling—while ensuring alignment among numerous stakeholders.

Objectives & Success Criteria

The client sought to:

• Deploy HSE professionals to support planning and execution of debris-removal operations.
• Conduct site assessments to identify hazards associated with debris removal, bridge demolition, and in-water work.
• Complete project-level risk assessments and safety plans.
• Review contractor safety management systems for alignment with project expectations.
• Support safe, coordinated execution among EPC leadership, contractors, and First Nations partners.

Success was measured by timeliness of mobilization, quality of HSE analysis and planning, effective contractor integration, and maintenance of strong safety performance during high-risk emergency response work.

PMO Solution (What We Did)

PMO mobilized HSE specialists to the field within days, enabling immediate participation in site assessments—including aerial reconnaissance via helicopter to understand terrain, debris distribution, and access points. PMO completed a comprehensive project risk assessment addressing hazards associated within-water work, heavy equipment operation, hazardous debris, environmental sensitivities, and multi-party coordination. A project safety plan was developed to support day-to-day operations and guide contractor expectations. PMO also reviewed contractor safety management systems to identify gaps, ensure consistency across all work fronts, and align practices with emergency-response expectations and regulatory requirements.

Key Components / Activities

• Rapid deployment of on-site HSE personnel
• Aerial and ground site assessments (including helicopter-based reconnaissance)
• Project-level risk assessment and hazard identification
• Development of project safety plan
• Review of contractor safety management systems
• Emergency Management Training, including Wildfire Training
• Support for debris removal, bridge demolition, and in-water operations
• Coordination with First Nations partners and multiple contractors

Outcomes & Impact

PMO provided immediate and effective HSE leadership during a complex, multi-stakeholder flood-recovery project. The rapid mobilization and high-quality risk assessment ensured safe execution of debris removal and bridge demolition activities. PMO’s planning and contractor-system reviews strengthened safety coordination across all work fronts, supporting uninterrupted progress in challenging terrain and high-risk conditions. 

Lessons Learned / Challenges Overcome

A notable challenge involved operating in remote, flood-impacted terrain with limited access and dynamic hazards. PMO’s approach—combining helicopter reconnaissance with structured risk assessment—allowed teams to understand site conditions quickly and implement appropriate controls. Another key lesson was the importance of early alignment between contractors, First Nations stakeholders, and EPC leadership to ensure consistent expectations and communication across the project. 

Value Proposition Summary

PMO delivered fast, practical HSE support that enabled safe, coordinated debris-removal operations following major BC flooding. Through rapid mobilization, aerial andfield assessment, structured risk analysis, and contractor safety review, PMO strengthened safety performance during high-risk emergency work. The engagement highlights PMO’s ability to support emergency-response projects with experienced HSE personnel and robust operational risk management practices.