Pyramid Traffic fined $100,000 after worker fatally injured

Pyramid Traffic, a Grimsby, Ont. traffic service information company, was fined $100,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was fatally injured, according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour.


On June 18, 2012, two workers were setting up to install an automatic traffic counter in the passing lane on Trafalgar Road between Derry Road and Britannia Road in Milton, Ont. The workers activated their work vehicle's warning lights, stopped in the passing lane, then opened the doors and began to prepare their equipment. As they did so, a pickup truck that was approaching struck the work vehicle, causing it to spin and strike one of the workers. That worker suffered fatal injuries.

A Ministry of Labour investigation found that the employer failed to ensure the flow of traffic was appropriately controlled with the use of a sign truck equipped with a flashing arrow and properly positioned ahead of the work vehicle.

Pyramid Traffic pleaded guilty to failing to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Denis Lee. 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.Pyramid Traffic fined $100,000 after worker fatally injured