Blog Post #1362 – Safety Violations on a Construction Site in Peterborough – July 25, 2022

This posting will show an actual contractor working on flashing and standing on a pallet that is lifted into the air by a Class VII forklift (Telehandler), one that was not attended by an operator.

So many violations here including;

1. Non-competent telehandler operator, as per the MOL’s “Guideline for the Safe Operation of Powered Lift Trucks”
2. Non-competent EWP operator, as per CSA B354.4 as described in the Construction regulation 213/91, section 144, subsection 6,
3. “Working at Heights” hazard,
4. The constructor failed to adhere to the “Working at Heights” requirements, (One wonders if he actually attended a “Working at Heights” class at all)
5. Possible “Critical Injury” as described in Ontario reg. 834 or death,
6. Constructor failure under section 23 of the OHSA,
7. Supervisor failure under section 27 of the OHSA,
8. Worker failure under section 28 of the OHSA,
9. Section 148, subsection 1(e) covering tie-off on an Elevating Work Platform (EWP),
10. Section 22 of the Construction reg. 213/91,
11. Section 26 of the Construction reg. 213/91,
12. Employer and Constructor failed under section 26.2, subsection (1) and (1.1),
13. Since the supervisor is not competent, the constructor/employer is in contravention of section 25, subsection 2(c),

Personal fines can reach $100,000 per contravention and up to $1,500,000 for companies so it would be prudent for the constructor to re-evaluate personnel and work to because a safety-conscience company instead of a construction liability.

We use pictures such as these in our training programs and the students get a good chuckle out of them. It is unsettling to see the same thing up close and personal. This particular contravention is in the subdivision near our head office and in the neighbourhood I live in. As the reader can see, there is very little “competent” safety oversight at all!

Not a place to work and be safe in!

HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Working at Heights’.

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
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.