Worker death results in $160K fine

Written by  COS staff 12 April 2012
Res 2000 Structures Inc., a Cookstown constructor, was fined $160,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was killed, a report from Ministry of Labour said.
According to the report, on March 12, 2010, workers were installing formwork and concrete at a building project in Toronto when a worker fell about 10 meters through an opening in a concrete slab. The worker died as a result of the fall.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the opening's protective floor covering, which was unmarked and unsecured, had been removed before the worker fell through.

Res 2000 Structures Inc. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the floor covering completely covered the opening in the work surface, was securely fastened and was adequately identified as covering an opening.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Inderpaul Chandhoke. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

Last modified on Thursday, 12 April 2012 11:09

Comments   

 
+6 #1 Dave Bennett 2012-04-13 08:51
$160,000; this is simply a business cost to this company. I believe that most workers in Ontario feel that the OHSA and its regulations are being viewed by most employers as nothing more than an annoyance and by the government as an inherited burden. If the provincial government (and their court system) started taking these charges seriously and started handing out MAXIMUM sentences, perhaps employers would take it seriously also.
Quote
 

Add comment


Security code
Refresh



It's a man's world: A day in the life of a safety professional http://t.co/hl4syyGZhb via @cosmagazine
Supreme Court shoots down random alcohol testing at N.B. plant http://t.co/sIY386cDv4 via @cosmagazine #safety #randomtesting
Safety Tip — Overhead Powerlines: http://t.co/lesY9YAVNP
VIDEO: Safety Tip - Overhead powerlines. #Safety tips from #Electrical Safety Authority http://t.co/auI49WXvod via @COSmagazine
Weaver of hope: The Threads of Life story http://t.co/F66ifGGgcL via @cosmagazine #safety @threadsoflifeca #ShirleyHickman
Reader Poll
Should mental health be part of the employer's OHS obligations?