Excerpt from the government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
A worker, employed by Stouffville Glass, Inc., was fatally injured while hoisting an exterior building panel into place. The employer failed to comply with section 179 of Regulation 213/91, contrary to section 25(1)(c) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
York University contracted for the construction of a Continuing Studies Building located at 4700 Keele Street. The project started in March 2020.
Stouffville Glass Inc. was subcontracted by the constructor to complete the exterior and interior glass installation, as well as the installation of exterior aluminum panels.
On the day of the incident, a supervisor employed by the Company was fatally injured after an exterior building panel fell while being hoisted into place at the sixth floor of the project.
A Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigation determined that taglines used to control the motion of the panel on the crane were not attached to the load, but instead were attached to a power grip used to hoist the load.
Following a guilty plea in Provincial Offences Court, 60 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Stouffville Glass, Inc. (the Company) was fined $150,000 by Justice of the Peace Donald W. Buchanan; Crown Counsel, Joseph Ferraro.
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:
Stouffville Glass Inc. was found guilty of a contravention of the Ontario ‘Construction Projects’ sector regulation, section 179, which states,
“(1) If a worker may be endangered by the rotation or uncontrolled motion of a load being hoisted by a crane or other hoisting device, one or more guide ropes or tag lines shall be used to prevent the rotation or uncontrolled motion.”
“(2) No guide rope or tag line shall be removed from a load referred to in subsection (1) until the load is landed and there is no danger of it tipping, collapsing or rolling.”
This is contrary to section 25, subsection 1(c) of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), which states,
“(1) An employer shall ensure that,
(c) the measures and procedures prescribed are carried out in the workplace.”
Pretty simple, isn’t it? Set up a hazard assessment prior to any work being done and this particular lift accident could have or would have been avoided.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs including ‘Construction Lifting and Rigging’.
Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
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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.