As more and more Canadian employers hopefully turn their attention to workplace safety, authorities are not waiting around to fine those that fail to meet the necessary requirements.
In a pair of recent cases, first, 622564 Saskatchewan Ltd., of Moosomin, pleaded guilty to one charge under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 and was fined $21,000 in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Nov. 14.
The company pleaded guilty to:
• Contravening section 116 of the regulations (failure to ensure that workers use a fall protection system at a temporary work area where a worker may fall three meters or more) and was fined $15,000 with a $6,000 surcharge.
The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on March 29, 2012 at a worksite in Lloydminster. A worker was standing on a roof truss, and fell 4.77 meters to the ground. He was seriously injured. Three other charges against the company were stayed.
In relation to the same incident, one charge against Jeff Warkentin, an owner of Saskatchewan Ltd. was stayed.
All Canadian Homes Pleads Guilty on Pair of Charges
Meantime, All Canadian Homes Ltd. of Moose Jaw pleaded guilty to two charges under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996 and was fined $1,040 in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Nov. 18.
The company pleaded guilty to:
• Contravening section 116 of the regulations (failure to ensure that workers use a fall protection system at a temporary work area where a worker may fall three meters or more) and was fined $600 with a $240 surcharge; and
• Contravening section 91 of the regulations (failure to ensure that workers wear approved industrial protective headwear) and was fined $150 with a $50 surcharge.
The charges stemmed from an investigation by an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officer on May 16, 2012, at a worksite in Moose Jaw. Two workers were on a roof structure without fall protection or approved headwear. Two other charges against the company were withdrawn.
OHS conducts approximately 4,000 worksite inspections annually to ensure standards are known, understood, and enforced. In the last five years, OHS has cited more than 6,300 contraventions for violations in the construction sector. According to OHS, falls represent more than 12 percent of all injuries reported in the construction sector.
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Principal, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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