Excerpt from the OH&S Canada magazine (December 2016)
A large grain farm in the village of Leask, Saskatchewan was fined $1,500 on October 06, 2016, for failing to report a workplace incident to the province’s oh&s authorities two years earlier.
On October 29. 2014, a falling tree tipped over a zoom boom on which an employee of Thunder Ridge Farms Ltd., was standing more than seven metres above the ground. The incident resulted in several broken bones for the worker, according to a statement dated October 12, 2016, from the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
The employer pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Ministry’s oh&s division of a workplace injury that put a victim in a hospital for at least three days.
“Employers and contractors are required to notify OH&S if a worker sustains an injury,” the Ministry says. “The notice must contain the names and contact information of the employee and the employer, the date, time and location of the incident, a description of what happened and what the apparent injuries are.”
My opinion
I do not have much support when a fine is as low as this one. $1,500.00 is not much of a deterrent to show other employers that reporting of an incident/accident is mandatory and not just an option!
I realize this is an article from 7 years ago but you will find that Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and British Columbia have a firmer grasp on the employer reporting of accidents due to previous announced larger fines for failure to do so.
The governments do not have the resources to hunt down every accident on all the worksites in their respective provinces.
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.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Canada, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.
Well done!
Thanks!