Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
On December 5, 2016, two workers, employed by Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario slipped and fell on the icy surface of the employee parking lot and sustained critical injuries.
A worker arrived at work and after parking, walked through the parking lot, slipped and fell. Other workers went to assist and one them also slipped and fell. The workers were transported by ambulance to hospital. Their injuries were deemed critical.
Investigation by the Ministry of Labour revealed that the area of the parking lot where the workers fell was covered with ice and snow and was very slippery. Surveillance footage of the area showed that seven other people had slipped on ice in this parking lot earlier in the day.
At the time of the accident, Casino Rama had a snow removal policy that included applying road salt in walkways and customer parking areas. However, the policy did not include applying road salt in the employee parking lot.
Following a guilty plea, Casino Rama was fined $50,000 by Justice of the Peace Michael Frederiksen in Orillia court; Crown Counsel Jai Dhar.
The court also 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.
My opinion
The law(s) in contravention:
Casino Rama was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Industrial Establishments’ regulation 851/90, section 11, subsection (a) which states,
“A floor or other surface used by any worker shall,
(a) be kept free of,
(i) obstructions,
(ii) hazards, and
(iii) accumulations of refuse, snow or ice.”
This was an offence under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, section 25, subsection 1 (c) which states,
“An employer shall ensure that,
(c) the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”
The Casino Rama should have had a completed hazard assessment and the Joint Health and Safety Committee, (JHSC) should have recognized the employee parking lot as a potential for slip hazards and recommended corrective action as described in section 11(a) of the regulation 851/90. Was the committee even aware of 11(a)? Maybe they need to go back for part 1 and 2 committee training.
Regardless, the employer is responsible for anything and everything on the jobsite or in the workplace.
Too bad for the employees! They should have been better protected.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259. We can also be reached at
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
World class!
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