Worker fined $1,500 for not using fall protection

Christopher Schwaemmie, a Toronto hoist worker, was fined $1,500 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
On Oct. 12, 2011, Christopher Schwaemmie was on a hoist tower at a construction project located in Toronto. He jumped from the tower to a nearby roof. The jump was seen by a Ministry of Labour inspector. The inspector saw that Schwaemmie was wearing a fall protection harness and lanyard, but the lanyard was not tied off to anything. The hoist tower he jumped from was about 50 feet above the ground.

Christopher Schwaemmie pleaded guilty to failing to be adequately protected by a method of fall protection while exposed to a fall of more than three metres.

The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Mary A. Ross Hendriks. 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.