Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
Lakehead Roofing & Metal Cladding Ltd., a Thunder Bay roofing company, was fined $50,000 for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after a worker was injured.
On May 29, 2012, a worker was removing materials from a roof as part of a re-roofing project at an industrial establishment in Sault Ste. Marie. The worker was using a fall arrest system with a safety line connected to an anchor point. The worker moved to assist two others at another part of the roof but did not shorten the lifeline before going over to help. The worker’s lifeline was slack while assisting the other roofers. When a concrete slab broke underfoot, the worker fell 14.3 meters before the fall arrest system engaged. The worker suffered serious leg injuries.
Lakehead Roofing & Metal Cladding Ltd. pleaded guilty to failing to ensure that the fall arrest system was arranged to prevent a worker from falling to hit the ground or an object below the work.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Philip Stanghetta. 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.
My opinion
The law(s) in contravention:
Lakehead Roofing was found guilty of a contravention of section 26.6(3) of the Ontario ‘Construction’ regulation 213/91 which states,
“The fall arrest system shall be arranged so that a worker cannot hit the ground or an object or level below the work.”
It seems that the ‘Working at Heights’ training requirements are needed more than ever. Think about it, someone wearing fall protection greater than the fall distance. How stupid was that! Mind you, his employer should have “Fixed Stupid” with appropriate training and the employer would never have been hurt.
Lakehead Roofing should have known better! It is easy for me to sit here and tell you what my opinion is on the situation at hand but it is up to the reader to implement change in his/her workplace to ensure that you have the proper equipment (PPE) and the training to use the equipment.
HRS Group Inc. stands ready to help your company become known as a safe company to work for. We have the expertise to aid you towards your goal of “Zero Accidents/Incidents”. Angela Beal (CHSC) has aided numerous companies by building or improving their policies and procedures and our health and safety training staff is second to none.
Check us out! HRS Group Inc. does not charge for the initial consultation.
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Fall Protection’, ‘Due Diligence’ and Working at Heights’. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal – CHSEP – Advanced
VP & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.